RU holds memorial for MN Larma

The Rajshahi Metropolitan unit of the Parbatya Chattagram Pahari Chhatra Parishad organised a memorial meeting and candlelight vigil at Rajshahi University on Tuesday, marking the 43rd death anniversary of Manabendra Narayan Larma, founder of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and a pioneer of the national awakening of the Jumma people.

The programme was held at the conference room of the university's Deans Complex on Tuesday afternoon (November 10). It included tributes, a memorial meeting and candlelight illumination at the university's Intellectuals' Memorial.

Speaking at the event, Amirul Islam Kanak, associate professor of the Department of Folklore and Social Development Studies and former student adviser, said the distinct cultures and lifestyles of the ethnic communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts had developed because of the region's geographical location, terrain and historical background.

He said feelings of discrimination and uncertainty over constitutional rights, education, land rights, human dignity and access to government facilities had contributed to grievances among the communities.

To address these challenges, the government and people from the plains must play a responsible role, he said, stressing the need to establish mutual understanding and trust rather than confrontation between the government and the hill communities.

Kanak also emphasised the need to ensure that development funds allocated for the hill region were actually spent on improving the lives and welfare of local people.

He said education was essential to overcoming existing challenges and called for students from every family in the region to be given opportunities to pursue higher education and become skilled and self-reliant, despite poverty and other obstacles.

Speaking at the meeting, former president of the organisation's Rajshahi Metropolitan unit Bijoy Chakma said MN Larma was not only a leader of the Jumma people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts but also a representative of oppressed and marginalised people across Bangladesh.

He recalled how Larma had united ordinary people despite the region's feudal practices and opposition from the authorities of the time, inspiring them to mobilise against the Kaptai Dam.

According to the organisers, on November 10, 1983, Larma and seven of his comrades were killed by assailants following what the original report described as a conspiracy and a decision by a rival faction.

- MaT