THe HC on December 14 ordered the chief judicial magistrate of Gaibandha to launch an investigation into the eviction drive and arson attack on Santals and Bangalees. The investigation would also have to look into any alleged police involvement on the aforementioned days.
The court also asked the magistrate to submit the investigation report within 15 working days.
Magistrate Md Shahidullah said: “I have started taking testimonies of the affected Santals and Bangalees and will send the report to the HC after completing the investigation.”
Meanwhile, another investigation team led by Md Akhter Hossain, additional superintendent (Bogra) of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), visited the crime scenes around 10am.
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ASP Akhter told reporters that they came to visit the area following the HC directive to investigate the cases filed by Swapan Murmu and Thomas Hembrom with Gobindaganj police station.
At least three Santal men were killed and 27 people, including nine policemen, were injured following a clash between the local Santals and law enforcers aiding Rangpur Sugar Mill workers during the “eviction drive” in Gobindaganj on November 6.
The tension escalated into violence when the sugar mill employees tried to take back the land occupied by the Santals, on which both parties had planted crops and claimed were rightfully theirs.
Another case was filed by the police and the Rangpur Sugar Mill authorities against the Santals in which scores of Santals were arrested but later released on bail.
In the wake of the communal attack, three human rights organisations filed separate writ petitions with the HC to intercede.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
