Compensate Gaibandha Santals: Citizens’ group

Citing the attacks on Gaibandha Santals as violation of human rights, a platform of concerned citizens today demanded compensation for the families of the dead and injured victims.  
The platform also urged the authorities to take responsibility of treatment of the injured Santals.

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Under the banner of Shocheton Nagorik, the group of citizens also demanded withdrawal of a "false case" and removal of the staff of the local administration involved in the attack in Gobindaganj upazila of the district on November 6.

A delegation of ruling Awami League on November 13, 2016 visits Santal community in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha where at least three indigenous people are killed in a clash over land dispute. Star file photo

READ more: Rangpur Sugar Mill: Santals owned most of land before deal

In protest, the Santals fired arrows at police personnel and Rangpur Sugar Mills workers, who joined the eviction drive. At least 25 people, including nine policemen, were wounded.

Though the land was acquired for sugarcane farming to produce raw materials for the Rangpur Sugar Mills Ltd at Mohimaganj in Gobindaganj, a portion of it was leased out for cultivating different other crops, flouting an agreement of 1962. Photo: Star

Santal women on their way back home in Madarpur village in Gaibandha's Gobindaganj upazila after they are prevented from going out of their village allegedly by the police. Photo: Kangkan Karmakar