A seminar titled ‘Contemporary Issues, Challenges and the Way Forward for Plain Land National Minority Peoples’ was held at the CBCB Centre in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Saturday, according to a press release.

The event was jointly organised by the Kapaeeng Foundation and Indigenous Peoples Development Services (IPDS). Reserved-seat woman lawmaker Anna Minj was present as chief guest.

Among the discussants were Ajay A Mri, the vice-president of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum; Eugene Nokrek, president of the Joyenshahi Adivasi Unnayan Parishad; Philimon Baskey, president of the Sahebganj Bagda Farm Bhumi Uddhar Sangram Committee; John Gomes, the vice-chairman of the Bangladesh Christian Welfare Trust; and national minority leaders Mrigen Hagidak, Raghunath Ekka, Pabitra Manda, Shipon Tripura, Olik Mri, and Khokon Suiten Murmu.

Kapaeeng Foundation manager Hiran Mitra Chakma delivered the welcome address and chairperson Gauranga Patra delivered the vote of thanks.

Researcher Ujjal Azim presented the keynote paper at the seminar, which was presided over by Sanjeeb Drong.