Allow Santals to harvest paddy: HC

Eleven days into the eviction of Santals from their land in Gobindaganj of Gaibandha, the High Court today asked the authorities concerned to allow the indigenous families to harvest paddy from their land.

If anyone already harvested the paddy of Santals’ land, the local administration will take steps to return the crop to them, the HC said in its order.

If necessary, the administration itself will harvest the paddy for the Santals, the court added.

On November 6, police fired and lobbed teargas shells during an eviction drive at the Shahebganj sugarcane farm leaving two Santals killed and several others injured. Protesting the eviction, Santals at the time shot arrows at police and mill labourer injuring 25 people, including policemen.

Moreover, the HC today directed the authorities concerned of the government to ensure security and free movements of the Santal people.

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In response to a writ petition, the court asked the authorities to submit a report in 10 days on the steps taken over the incident of attack on Santal people.

The HC issued a rule upon the authorities to explain as to why their inaction to give protection to the Santal people should not be declared illegal, Advocate Abu Obaidur Rahman, a lawyer for the petitioners, told The Daily Star.

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The HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Debnath came up with the orders and rule following the writ petition filed by three rights organisations -- The Ain o Salish Kendra, Brotee and Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) -- yesterday.

The rights bodies submitted the petition seeking HC directives upon the government to ensure security of Santals' lives and properties so that they could move freely.

They also urged the court to ask the authorities what legal steps have been taken over the attack and to order providing compensation for the victims and not to unlawfully harass Santals.