Santals refuse to shift elsewhere

The evicted ethnic minority Santals of Madarpur and Joypurpara in Gaibandha's Gobindaganj upazila have demanded return of their ancestral land, instead of moving them elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the government has started a housing programme on 14 acres of land at Palupara village, about three kilometres far from Shahebganj sugarcane farm.

Under the housing programme the authorities concerned will construct three cluster villages to rehabilitate the shelter less Santal families.

"We won't move to any other place even if we have to stay here for months, we want our ancestral property back," said Santina Tudu of Madarpur village.

Gaibandha Deputy Commissioner Abdus Samad said the district administration has a target of providing the newly built houses to 30 Shantal families within the next two months.

On November 6, police fired and lobbed teargas shells during an eviction drive at Shahebganj sugarcane farm.

The clash left three Santal men dead and 30 others, including nine policemen, injured.

On behalf of the indigenous community, Swapan Murmu filed a case with Gobindaganj Police Station against 500 unnamed people on November 17.

On November 26, Thomas Hembrom of Harinabari village filed another case accusing 33 people, including the local Awami League lawmaker and the UNO in connection with the killing and illegal eviction of the ethnic minority Santals.