Santals worried after filing FIR

The Santals are worried about their future after filing an FIR on Saturday accusing the people, including the ruling party lawmaker, allegedly involved in the eviction of Santal families from Shahebganj sugarcane farm.

Thomas Hembrom lodged the FIR (first information report) with Gobindaganj Police Station on behalf of Shahebganj-Bagda Bhumi Uddhar Sangram Committee against 33 named people and 600 unnamed others.

Santal leader Philimon Baske said, "We could not file case earlier for fear of arrest. Although we are somewhat pleased after filing of the case, we are still worried about our future."

"We might be attacked by the ruling party leaders as the FIR has been lodged against them in connection with eviction of Santals from the cane farm," said Rafayel Hasda, another leader of Bhumi Uddhar committee.

"We are worried that the case might not run smoothly, since the accused are very influential," said Subol Hembrom of Joypurpara.

Seeking anonymity, a Santal man at Joypurpara said they cannot say what would happen in the future as they have stood up against the lawmaker and the chairmen of the unions.

The case statement said Gaibandha-4 lawmaker Abul Kalam Azad arranged erecting houses for 2,500 ethnic and Bangalee people on the government acquired land of the farm house. Sapmara union Chairman Sakil Ahmed Bulbul started a movement in favour of this, the statement continued.

A clash over cane harvesting ensued on November 6 between the mills' labourers, Santals and outsiders, in which over 500 people took part at the direction of the lawmaker and in presence of the managing director of the sugar mills and the upazila nirbahi officer of Gobindaganj, Thomas mentioned in the statement.