The HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Debnath on Monday exempted him warning not to use such words in future.
In response to a High Court order, the DC on November 30 submitted a report in which he wrote - "Bangalee dushkritikari" (Bangalee miscreants) and Santals locked in a clash with Rangpur sugar mill workers.
Later the High Court asked him to explain the derogation, saying the Pakistan occupation forces had used the word to describe the Bangalee people.
In his explanation on Monday, the DC said he picked up the word from the report submitted by Gaibandha superintendent of police (special branch).
Later the court sought an explanation from the Gaibandha SP as well.
Besides, the bench fixed December 14 for further order on a writ, filed with the HC seeking its directive for forming a judicial commission to investigate the attack on and eviction of Santals from government land which it had originally acquired from them in Gobindaganj.
The petition was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua on behalf of two Santal women, Olivia Hembrom and Rumila Kisku.
On November 6 and 7, the upazila administration evicted around 600 Santal households from their ancestral land in Sahebganj-Bagda sugarcane farm area.
Three Santal men died and many more were injured when they protested the eviction. The eviction was carried out by police, RAB and BGB members and assisted by local Bangalees allegedly loyal to the local ruling Awami League lawmaker.
Friday, March 28, 2025
