2 Santal men released from jail now sick

Two Santal men, who were injured in a clash during the November 6 drive to evict them, were sent to Dhaka for better treatment on Saturday night, as they fell seriously ill after returning home from prison.

Choron Soren and Bimol Kishu were released on bail on November 18. Earlier, the two received treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said Philimon Baske, a Santal leader.   

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In another development, the Rangpur Sugar Mills authorities filed a general diary in connection with Saturday's fire incident at a sugarcane field in Shahebganj, mentioning that it caused a loss of Tk 3 lakh, said Abdul Awal, managing director of the sugar mills.

Meanwhile, a team led by Bangabir Kader Siddiqui, president of Krishak Sramik Janata League, visited the Santal villages in Joypurpara and Madarpur areas of Gobindaganj upazila.

Kader urged the government to return the land to the Santal community and pay the affected Santals adequate compensation for their losses. He also sought justice for the killings of the Santal men in the name of land recovery.

While visiting the Santal villages yesterday, ASM Abdur Rob, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, demanded the rehabilitation of Santal families on their forefather's land and sought a judicial investigation into the incident.

At a press briefing yesterday at the DC office, the local administration and police alleged that leaders of Sahebganj-Bagdafarm Bhumi Uddhar Sangram Committee instigated the Santal community to occupy the land in Shahebganj sugarcane farm on July 1.

On July 12, Santal men attacked labourers working at the sugarcane farm. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Policemen also came under attack by the Santals. Assistant Sub-inspector of Gobindaganj Police Station Shafiqul Islam and constable Sourav Roy were injured in the attack. Police then filed a case, said Ashraful Islam, superintendent of Gaibandha police.

To keep law and order under control, police had set up a temporary camp at the sugarcane farm. Enraged, the Santals on August 7 attacked the police camp and looted a shotgun, injuring some policemen. Another case was lodged, the SP said.

About the police firing on November 6, the Gaibandha police boss said labourers of Rangpur Sugar Mills went to the farm to harvest some sugarcane. They were resisted by the Santals and a clash ensued between the two groups. 

Later, police, led by upazila nirbahi officer and officer-in-charge of Gobindaganj Police Station, rushed to the spot.

As soon as the cops reached the spot, Santal people also attacked them with arrows, injuring eight cops. As the situation went out of control, police fired blank shots after getting permission from the executive magistrate to bring the situation under control, the SP said.

Police did not launch the eviction drive, the police official added.             

Two Santal men were killed and several others injured in the clash. One of the injured died later.