They said many indigenous people along with Bangalee freedom fighters fought against the occupation forces but their names are not included in most of the history books on liberation war including the government-published 15 volumes of documents on the war.

The discussion titled 'Contribution of indigenous people to the liberation war' was organised jointly by Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon and Research and Development Collective (RDC) at the National Press Club in the city.

Seven indigenous freedom fighters were given crests for their contribution to the liberation war at the discussion.

Speaking as chief guest Nasir Uddin Yusuf, a freedom fighter and president of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, said indigenous people have become marginal ones due to ethnic discrimination, but they made significant contribution to the war.

He said the struggle of the indigenous people to establish their right to land has not come to an end though it started during the British rule.

In a keynote paper, Mesbah Kamal, associate professor of Dhaka University, said the government should take effective measures to prepare a list of real freedom fighters specially the indigenous freedom fighters and honour them for their contribution to the liberation war.

"A lot of indigenous people were killed or critically injured in their fight against the Pakistani forces but we have failed to give honour or mention their names in our history of liberation war," he said.

Presiding over the discussion, Prof HKS Arefin of Dhaka University and Chairman of RDC, said indigenous people sacrificed their lives for the independence but they are now living as aliens in their own country.

Jote General Secretary Golam Kuddus, RDC Research Officer Zannat-a-Ferdousi and Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon Central Organiser Kerina Mumu also spoke.