Minorities have urged political parties not to nominate candidates with records of oppression on minority communities for the upcoming general election.

The call was made at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity auditorium today. It was organised by ‘Shahebganj Bagdafarm Bhumi Uddhar Sangram Committee’.

They alleged that despite the staggering size of development budget sanctioned every year, it does little to change the living condition for the minority community.

“If you nominate minority oppressors, the minorities will not go to vote,” Kajal Debnath, an advisor of Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Christian Oikyo Parishad, said.

Sanjib Drong, secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, questioned the efficacy of extravagant development budget in alleviating poverty of the marginal people.

JUSTICE QUESTIONED OVER GOBINDAGANJ

The press conference was organised demanding justice for murders of three Santals, compensation of the victims of arson attacks and loots and rehabilitation of the Santal community people to their “own land”.

On November 6, 2016, a tripartite clash broke out between the Santals, staffers of Rangpur Sugar Mills, and police over the eviction of indigenous community from the disputed land, leaving three Santal men dead and 20 others, including nine policemen, injured.

The speakers today claimed that although two years have gone by but there is no visible progress in the case.

Rabindranath Soren, president of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, alleged that a local lawmaker who was involved in the incident of Gobindaganj is now roaming freely. “No actions were taken against him now he is seeking nomination again.”

Thespian Mamunur Rashid read out a written statement at the press conference.