Harvest paddy of rest 15 acres for Santals: HC

The High Court today directed the authorities concerned to harvest paddy of the rest 15 acres of land for Santal people of Gobindaganj in next 15 days, as the indigenous people have grown up the crops there.

The bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Debnath passed the order after accepting a report submitted by Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC).

BSFIC authorities placed the report to the bench through Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Sazu, saying that Rangpur Sugar Mills authorities have already harvested the paddy of 34 acres of land and gave the crops to Santal people.

The paddy on around 15 acres of land is yet to ripen, and more 15 days might be needed to harvest the crops, they said in the report.

DAG Sazu told The Daily Star that deputy commissioner of Gaibandha has handed over a report to the HC saying that a committee led by Additional District Magistrate Mizanur Rahman has been constituted to find out under what circumstance the law enforcers have sued firearms during the clash between Santals and police on November 6.

He said superintendent of police of Gaibandha and officer in charge of Gobindaganj Police Station have handed over separate reports to the HC saying that two cases and a general diary have been filed in connection with the November 6 incident and 23 people have been arrested so far in the cases.

The reports were submitted in compliance with the HC’s November 17 order that directed the government to ensure security and free movement of Santals.

Responding to a writ petition filed by three rights organisations, the court asked the authorities concerned to allow Santal families to harvest paddy from the farmland and to submit a report to it within 10 days on the legal steps taken over attacks on Santals.

The HC judges fixed December 5 for passing further order on this issue.