An investigation report has categorically blamed ruling Awami League lawmaker [Gaibandha-4] Abul Kalam Azad and Upazila Chairman Abdul Latif for their involvement in the recent attacks on Santal community in Gobindaganj.
Although the Santals have already been evicted from the land claimed by the sugar mills, there are 15 fishponds there owned by MP still remained totally untouched, it further blamed.
Ekattorer Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee [EGDNC] made the disclosures in a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city’s Segunbagicha on Sunday.
The probe report was made by the EGDNC based on the findings of 18-member inquiry body who went there on November 21 to see the condition of victims in their own eyes. They also talked with the affected people, local administration, law enforcement officials and other related persons.
The EGDNC, at the same time, also placed another probe report that was made over the attacks on Hindu community at Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria.
In the press conference a booklet along with detail incidents and photographs was distributed among the newsmen. According to the findings of EGDNC, these sorts of incidents have been occurring one after another targeting the religious minorities due to absence of proper trial.
The EGDNC leaders said only communal terrorists are not solely responsible for such attacks. Rather, the ruling party men are often found involved behind the attacks.
“The Santals of Gobindaganj and we both think that the repressive cases those have been filed against the minority community members should be withdrawn. Besides, the authorities need to take initiatives for their rehabilitation,” acting president of EGDNC Shahriar Kabir said.
On November 6, three Santals were killed in a fierce clash when Gobindaganj Upazila administration went to evict around 600 Santal families from their ancestral land in Sahebganj-Bagda Sugar Mill area. A fourth Santal victim’s body was found later in the sugar-cane land.
The eviction drive was carried out by Police, RAB and BGB members who were joined by people allegedly loyal to the local MP. The law enforcers opened fire and lobbed teargas canisters during the eviction drive.
At least 25 people, including nine policemen, were also wounded when the Santals threw arrows at police personnel and Rangpur Sugar Mills workers, who joined the eviction drive. After the incident, police filed cases against the Santals on charge of obstructing the law enforcers.
Against this backdrop, EGDNC sent a team led by Justice Shamshuddin Chowdhury and Justice Shamsul Huda to the spot to investigate the incident. The team arranged a public hearing in presence of local influential leaders.
Laying emphasis on formulating new law to protect minorities, adviser of EGDNC Justice Amirul Islam said: “The government did not try anyone involved in the attacks on minority community that occurred since 2001. For that reason, the minority people are not getting justice. On the other hand, the real culprits are enjoying freedom. “
Besides, Justice Shamsul Huda said: “The patronization of local MP and Upazila Chairman behind the attack was clearly visible in Gobindaganj.”
Meanwhile, expressing determination Law Minister Barrister Anisul Huq said that persons responsible for the attacks on minorities would be brought to book.
“The government has taken initiatives to ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits those were involved in the attacks, so that such kind of atrocity could not occur in this country in the near future,” the Minister said while talking to the reporters after attending a function in the city yesterday.
