
Bangladesh Adibashi Samity (Indigenous Association) observed 162nd anniversary of indigenous peasants' revolution on June 30, 2017. BAS was organised a discussion to marking the day at Dinajpur city in northern Bangladesh. The discussion was presided over by the BAS president Sree Bissonath Sing, while the main speaker was BAS secretary Omoli Kisku. Before the discussion, the leaders of the BAS placed floral wreath in the memory of Sindhu, Kanu, Chand and Bhairob including numberless Santal who sacrificed their lives in that revolt against the then British regime.
In the discussion, the BAS leaders strongly criticised the ruling government role of an attack on indigenous Santal community village in Gaibandha district on 6th of November 2016. Judicial probe finds policemen's involvement in the Gaibandha Santal house arson, but the situation didn't change yet, government failed to ensure security of the Santal community, BAS leader said in the discussion. Santal community still feared for farther evection from their traditional land. In that attack police blazed hundreds of indigenous houses to evict them from their land.
In the discussion, BAS leaders demanded a separate land commission to restoring and legalising the indigenous land rights. BAS leaders also demanded constitutional rights for indigenous people, ensuring easy access to education, water and forest resources and access to justice.
In the discussion, BAS vows to build strong movements to save the indigenous peasants rights in Bangladesh.