The 20th death anniversary of indigenous leader Alfred Soren, who was killed in a land dispute on August 18, 2000, was observed yesterday with demands voiced for the trial of his murderers.
Goons patronised by local landlords-- Hatem Ali and Shitesh Chandra Bhattacharya--killed Alfred Soren at Bhimpur in Naogaon when he tried to resist their bid to evict 24 indigenous families from the village.
Soren's family members claimed at least 15 families have so far left the village in the face of death threats by local landlords in the last 20 years.
Moheshshar Soren , brother of the deceased Alfred Soren, said: “The accused are still giving us death threats. They have grabbed 33 bighas of land out of 60 bighas and are trying to grab the rest.”
“Many people, including adivasi leaders, have been demanding justice for the murder of my brother, but unfortunately no one has been punished yet in 20 years.,” he added.
On the occasion of the 20th death anniversary of Alfred Soren, many organizations and political parties placed floral wreaths at his memorial at Bhimpur village in the morning yesterday.
Mohsin Reza, president of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Naogaon district unit, Joynal Abedin Mukul, advisor of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad and district coordinator of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Basad) Naogaon district unit and Rebeka Soren, younger sister of Alfred Soren placed floral wreaths at the memorial.
Jatiya Advasi Parishad Advisor Joynal Abedin Mukul said: “The accused in the Alfred Soren murder case carried out arson attacks on indigenous families and even persecuted the women and children in the Adivasi palli at Bhimpur village after they killed Soren.’”
He demanded security for the indigenous people and rights to land for them through the formation of a separate land commission.
Rebecca Soren, younger sister of Alfred Soren, filed two separate cases under the Murder and Public Security Act in 2000.
Despite 20 years having elapsed, the Alfred Soren murder case is still under trial.
