Hill Voice, 10 August 2020, Tripura: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was celebrated in various parts of the Sepahijala district of the Indian state of Tripura yesterday, 9 August 2020, amidst great excitement even amid the lockdown due to COVID-19.
Indigenous peoples irrespective of party affiliation participated in the event organized by various organizations including the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), All Allied Brotherhood Organization, Young Tipra Social Organization. It is learnt that this International Indigenous Day is celebrated in the presence of a significant number of people in Rangmala, Sonamura, Dhanirampur and Promodnagar in Bishramganj.
On the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Day, men and women of different communities, including children of indigenous peoples of different communities, started gathering in different areas of Sepahijala district after wearing traditional dress from this morning. It is also heard that huge rallies have been organized in different places ignoring the lockdown rules.
Although the organizers demanded that the day be celebrated by maintaining social distance between the lockdowns, many were overwhelmed with emotion and spontaneously joined the event to create a huge gathering. Although not as lavish as in other years, a significant number of people attended today’s events.
On behalf of the organisers, IPFT leader Rammohun Debbarma said that the rally was held today on the occasion of the celebration of Indigenous Day. Due to the global pandemic, this day is celebrated with special enthusiasm through small rallies. He told reporters that the day was observed by wearing a mask while maintaining social distance and following all the rules.
He also added that people from all walks of life participated in it. Today’s rally is not the initiative of any political party or any social organization. However, he said the day was celebrated to protect ethnic unity among the indigenous people.
Narendra Devvarma, IPFT leader in Bijoynagar of Sonamura, said the organizers also organized a tree planting today on the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, promising to save water, land and forest. Silence was observed in Bijoynagar of Sonamura on this day in remembrance of those who gave their lives for the protection of the rights of the indigenous peoples.
Source: The report is prepared on the basis of the report of ‘Dainik Sangbad’ dated 10 August 2020 from Agartala, Tripura, India.
