Staff Reporter :
Some cops were involved in setting fire on Santal Palli (houses) in Gobindaganj of Gaibandha district, says a report submitted to High Court on Monday.
Local people in association with some cops launched arson attack on Santal Palli, according to the sources. Details about the report are expected to be available today after hearing.
The High Court on December 14 last year, directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Gaibandha to investigate
who were involved in setting fire on Santal shanties following their eviction drive on November 6.
The court also directed the magistrate to inquire whether police were involved in the arson attack and submit their investigation report to the High Court within 15 days.
The High Court assigned the Police Bureau of Investigation to probe the case.
The court also asked the PBI to treat the first information report filed by Thomas Hembrom, resident of Harinmari village in Gobindaganj, against 32 people including local lawmaker Abul Kalam Azad and Shapkhola Union Parishad chairman Shakil Akon Bulbul.
A bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Deb Nath issued the directive after hearing two writ petitions seeking action against the attackers.
The petitioner told the court that police in uniform were seen setting fire on Santal houses during the eviction and submitted a video footage of the incident that was broadcast by a Doha-based state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera.
On November 6 last, a triangular clash ensued among the indigenous people and the workers of Rangpur Sugar Mills and police following an attempt allegedly by the workers of Rangpur Sugar Mill to evict the Santals from the mill area leaving three Santals dead, 20 injured and several hundred homeless.
Some cops were involved in setting fire on Santal Palli (houses) in Gobindaganj of Gaibandha district, says a report submitted to High Court on Monday.
Local people in association with some cops launched arson attack on Santal Palli, according to the sources. Details about the report are expected to be available today after hearing.
The High Court on December 14 last year, directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Gaibandha to investigate
who were involved in setting fire on Santal shanties following their eviction drive on November 6.
The court also directed the magistrate to inquire whether police were involved in the arson attack and submit their investigation report to the High Court within 15 days.
The High Court assigned the Police Bureau of Investigation to probe the case.
The court also asked the PBI to treat the first information report filed by Thomas Hembrom, resident of Harinmari village in Gobindaganj, against 32 people including local lawmaker Abul Kalam Azad and Shapkhola Union Parishad chairman Shakil Akon Bulbul.
A bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Deb Nath issued the directive after hearing two writ petitions seeking action against the attackers.
The petitioner told the court that police in uniform were seen setting fire on Santal houses during the eviction and submitted a video footage of the incident that was broadcast by a Doha-based state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera.
On November 6 last, a triangular clash ensued among the indigenous people and the workers of Rangpur Sugar Mills and police following an attempt allegedly by the workers of Rangpur Sugar Mill to evict the Santals from the mill area leaving three Santals dead, 20 injured and several hundred homeless.
