The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Gano forum Chairman Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said tribal people should be given constitutional recognition and all citizens of the country should have equal status, which was the main theme of the liberation war.

He was speaking at a memorial meeting on the occasion of 24th death anniversary of tribal leader Manabendra Narayan Larma, at the National Press Club yesterday.

Leaders of different organisations working for the rights of the aboriginal people demanded execution of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord signed in 1997 to ensure the rights of the aboriginal people, give them constitutional recognition and form land commission to prevent grabbing of land of tribal people.

Dr Kamal Hossain said divisive politics was always suicidal. There cannot be any division regarding basic principles of the country.

Dr Kamal paying tribute to MN Larma said Larma always fought for establishing the rights of the deprived people.

Sanjib Drong, representative of the aborigines said with the signing of peace accord few rights were given to the tribal people but it was not implemented.

MN Larma is the elder brother of Santu Larma, president of Parbatya Chattagram Janashanghati Samiti. He was the founder of the organisation.

He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh and was elected MNA in 1970 election.

Prof Zillur Rahman Siddique presided over the meeting. Pankaj Bhattcharya of Gano Forum, Haider Akbar Khan Rano of Workers Party, Comrade Khalequzzaman, Tipu Biswas of DLA, sister of MN Larma Jyoti Prova Larma and Rabinra Nath Saren, representative of tribal people, among others spoke at the meeting.

Journalist Syed Abul Moksud presented keynote paper about ideology and political activities of MN Larma.

Earlier a blood donation camp was opened on the Press Club compound, which was inaugurated by CPB president Majurul Ahsan Khan. Different organisations placed wreath at the portrait of MN Larma