Today marks the third anniversary of the attack on a Santal community in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha resulting in vandalism, looting and killing.
Police Bureau of Investigation, PBI, has submitted a charge-sheet accusing 90 persons in the horrific event which took place on Nov 6, 2016.
But the Santals have rejected the charge sheet alleging that the real perpetrators were ignored and the role of the PBI was biased. A non- agreement petition has been filed in this regard.
The Santals are aggrieved since they did not get back their ancestral property. The people from the ethnic minority group want the government to ensure exemplary punishment.
The day is observed as Santal Killing Day by the locals. In this regard, they have arranged a day-long programme today.
Meanwhile, Santals are accused of occupying the land of the sugar mill which has triggered a new wave of tensions involving sugar mill workers and the Santals.
Reportedly, the local administration had a meeting with the Santals. On Nov 6, 2016, there were several clashes between Santals and sugar mill workers over the cutting of sugar cane.
Santal communities were attacked, their houses torched and three persons died due to police firing.
The Santals are living in hope that they will get back the land of their forefathers and are indignant at the lethargic approach of the administration.
Two and a half years passed to complete the investigation and, in July of the running year, PBI lodged a charge sheet accusing 90 persons though the Santals allege that the main 11 persons involved in the incident were spared.
Santal leader Filimon Baksey denied the allegation of land grabbing and said: “after being evicted, we are living in other areas in a lot of hardship.”
Gaibandha in charge of PBI, Abdul Hye Sarkar, observed: “after impartial assessment of facts, the charge sheet was submitted at the court.”
UNO of Gobindaganj, Ramkrishna Barman, adds: “to help the affected Santals, villages, roads and power have been ensured and work is underway to improve their living standards.”
The matter of the land occupation will be resolved shortly, he assured.
