HTL celebrates International Day of World Indigenous People

Our Correspondent
Diphu, August 9 (EMN): Hills Tribal League (HTL) celebrated ‘International Day of World Indigenous People’ with the theme, 10th anniversary of the declaration on rights of indigenous people,’ here at Jirsong Asong. The local theme is ‘Right to land, territories, resources and political self determination’. The statement said that the main principle of HTL was to facilitate all the 14 Schedule tribes in the Autonomous district of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao to bring them to a common platform and bridge the gap between different indigenous communities for collective efforts in securing the rights and privilege of the Schedule tribes.
The HTL also mentioned about the controversial land allotment of the 62 bighas 2 kathas and 14 lusas of Havarpi Tourist Complex at Lumding Road by the Tourist department, KAAC to VVKI, an NGO also called The Art of Living of Shri Shri Ravi Snakar, where crore of public fund has been invested. There is always the obstructions in the way of enjoying the rights and privileges of indigenous people here in Karbi Anglong. The rights to self determination have been promised long back by the Govt. of India. Generations after generations have past but no fruitful goal of self determination is achieved, the statement said.
Pankaj Teron, Convenor, Karbi Human Right Watch explained about the universal declaration of human rights and United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. The articles in the United Nations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) like human rights, equality, self-determination, autonomy, cultural integrity, culture, language, education etc. were explained by him.
He said that according to UNDRIP the land and resources of the places where lived are sole ownership by indigenous people. “But here the indigenous people are not aware of the exploitation of land and its resources by big companies through the support from Government without taking prior concern with the indigenous communities of this place”.
He cited example of oil drilling activity taking place in Dhansiri by a national oil company. “But no one is opposing to it”. During the discussion on the theme, ‘Right to land, territories, resources and political self determination,’ leaders from various youth, students and socio-cultural organisations put-up their views on how the land, territory and resources of the indigenous people can be protected.
Persons like Humsing Bey, adviser, Karbi Cultural Society (KCS), Chandra Sing Kro, president, KCS; Thong Teron, general secretary, Karbi Longri & NC Liberation Front; Khorsing Teron, Convenor, HTL; Dhiraj Diphusa, president, Dimasa Students Association and Phengpiga H Rengma, former president, Rengma Naga Students Union shared their views.
Taking views from all representatives present a resolution was adopted as to how the problems and issues of the indigenous people of Karbi Anglong can be reached to higher level at UNDRIP. To reach the grievances the KHRW was entrusted with the responsibility as they more connected with the indigenous people’s forum in Asia and Northeast.