Several thousand aboriginal people from different areas of Tangail attended the rally, addressed by their leaders and representatives of different political parties and organisations.

The speakers said aboriginal people have a different culture but some vested quarters backed by the government are now active to "displace them from their ancestral homes and destroy them in the name of Eco-Park".

They also demanded punishment of the killers of Garo youth Piren Snal and condemned the arrested of aboriginal leaders.

Gona Forum General Secretary Pankaj Bhattachariya was the chief guest at the rally, presided over by Albert Mankin, Co-convenor of Aboriginal Land and Environment Preservation Committee.

It was also addressed by, among others, Dhaka University teacher Mejbahuddin Kamal, Bangladesh Adibasi Forum General Secretary Sanjib Dring, Modhupur Upazila Tribal Welfare Association Chairman Uzine Nokrak and women aboriginal leader Rakhi Mrong.

Pankaj Bhattachariya told the rally that that Eco-Park project is not for welfare of aboriginal people.

"This is designed for the benefit of minister and their relatives and friends who will get contracts for the project work.

"They will plunder the forest resources", he alleged.

Had the government any plan to do good to the aboriginal people, it would have involved them in the project, he said.

On the contrary, the aboriginal people are being accused in false cases in large numbers, he alleged. Police are now hunting down and harassing aboriginal leaders.

Pankaj said, "One Piren has been killed. If necessary 25,000 aboriginal people will sacrifice their lives but not allow the Eco-Part in Modhupur".

Mejbahuddin Kamal said conscious and peace loving people of the country are with the aboriginal people in their fight against oppression. Any attempt to displace the aboriginal people from their ancestral abodes will be resisted, he added.

Sanjib Dring said Modhupur forests belong to the aboriginal people and none will be able to displace them from the area or harm them in any way. Any plan for the area must be by them and for them. Otherwise, nothing will be allowed, he added.

Uzine Nokrak called upon the aboriginal people to unite to resist Eco-Park project.

Albert Mankin said that a representative of aboriginal people will meet the Minister for Forest and Environment soon and place some demands. If the demands are not met, a greater movement will be launched.

The rally was held amid tight security by police, who virtually cordoned the venue.

Mankin alleged that police and ruling party men tried to foil the rally by obstructing people from attending it.

But the large gathering has proved that the aboriginal people are conscious of their rights and determined to protect those.