Withdraw eviction notice against Khasi people

Indigenous people accompanied by environmentalists formed a human chain in Moulvibazar Press Club area in the district town yesterday demanding cancellation of the eviction notice against Khasi people in Nahar Punjee area of the district.

At the programme organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon in cooperation with Khasi rights organisation Kuboraj, Khasi Students Union and Bangladesh Garo Students Union, speakers also demanded formation of a separate land commission to protect the land rights of the indigenous peoples living in plain land areas.

The indigenous people are being deprived of their rights in different sectors including education and job, they said.

Tofazzal Sohel, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon's Habiganj unit, demanded immediate withdrawal of an earlier eviction notice against Khasi people and ensuring the security of the community, especially those living in Nahar Khasi Punjee.

The Khasi people have an inseparable relation with forest, said Flora Bably Talang, general secretary of Kuboraj.

The speakers demanded withdrawal of all false cases against the indigenous people and allocation of khas land among the landless indigenous people.

Different ethnic peoples played a significant role during the liberation war in 1971 but they are yet to be given constitutional rights, they said.

Earlier on May 30, Moulvibazar district administration issued a notice to some 700 indigenous Khasi people to move from their ancestral lands at the two villages collectively known as Nahar Punjee before June 12.

The authorities accused them of illegally occupying 150 acres of government land and making betel leaf plantations there.

The notice had warned that the authorities would use the police to force out the residents if they fail to move out within the deadline.