Ensure security, let them harvest crops

The High Court yesterday directed the government to ensure security and free movement of the Santals in Gaibandha's Gobindaganj.

The directive came 11 days into the eviction of around 1,200 families of the indigenous community from Sahebganj sugarcane farm in Gobindaganj.

Responding to a writ petition filed by three rights organisations on Wednesday, the court asked the authorities concerned to allow the Santal families to harvest paddy from the farmland.

In case anyone other than the Santals has already harvested paddy from the land, the local administration must take steps to return it to the indigenous people. If necessary, the administration itself would harvest the crop for the Santals, petitioners' counsel Abu Obaidur said, citing the HC order.

The HC ordered the authorities to submit a report to it within 10 days on the legal steps taken over attacks on Santals, he said.

Our Gaibandha correspondent reports: a case has been filed against 500 unidentified people for attacking Santal families, looting and torching their houses and murdering two Santal men at Sahebganj farm on November 6.

On behalf of the Santals, Swapan Murmu filed the case with Gobindaganj Police Station at 11:30pm on Wednesday.

Police later picked up five suspects from different areas. They are Abdur Rashid, Shah Nawas, Badsha, Choyon Mia and Shagor Mia from Sahebganj village.

Yesterday, two detained Santals -- Bimol Kisku and Choron Soren -- wounded during the eviction drive on November 6, were freed from prison after the Judicial Magistrate's Court in Gaibandha granted them bail.

Earlier, they were sent to jail by a Gaibandha court following their treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital for eight days.

On November 6, police reportedly opened fire and lobbed teargas shells during an eviction drive at Sahebganj sugarcane farm, leaving two Santals dead and several others injured.

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.

COURT ORDER

The HC issued a rule upon the authorities to explain in two weeks why their inaction regarding protection of lives and properties of the Santals should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Debnath fixed November 30 for further hearing on the matter.

Ain O Salish Kendra, Brotee, and Association for Land Reform and Development filed the writ petition seeking HC directives upon the government to ensure security of lives and properties of the Santals.

In the petition, they urged the court to inquire the authorities about the legal steps taken after the attack, and give orders for giving the victims compensations and ensuring that the Santals are not harassed.

The petitioners said many Santals are virtually confined and cannot move freely, which goes against the constitutional provision of equal right to protection of law and the right to free movement.

Many Santals have been tortured inhumanly in violation of the constitutional provision, they said.

ZI Khan Panna and AM Aminuddin argued for the petitioners, while Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Sazu represented the government.

VISIT BY INDIAN OFFICIAL

Indian Assistant High Commissioner Abhijit Chattopadhyay visited Santal villages in Madarpur and Joypurpara areas of Gobindaganj yesterday afternoon.

He talked to the distressed Santal families and inquired about their condition.

Abhijit, however, didn't talk to journalists.