Attack on Santal violation of human rights: NHRC boss

Kazi Riazul Haque, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, today slammed the recent attack on Santal people of Gaibandha saying, ‘The attack on Santal people is the clear violation of human rights and it is disgraceful as well.’

 

The NHRC boss made the comment while giving his speech in a gathering at the attack site on Monday.

 

‘They have the right to protect themselves as they are also the citizens of this country like others,’ he added.

 

While speaking in the gathering Kazi Riazul Haque also pointed, ‘What happened on the Santal community- looting their assets, arson attacks and murder- all these are the clear violation of human rights and shameful as well.’

 

Earlier police arrested two more people for their alleged involvement in the attacks on the Santal people in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha.

 

The law enforcers arrested them after conducing drives at Tarofkamal village under the upazila, raising the total number of arrests in the case to 10.

 

Earlier the Gaibandha Santals filed a case against 33 including the local Awami League lawmaker and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) in connection with the attack on them there.

 

Three Santal men were killed and 27 people, including nine policemen, injured following a clash with law enforcers and workers of Rangpur Sugar Mill in Gobindaganj upazila on November 6.

 

The clash broke out when workers of Rangpur Sugar Mills along with police went to Bagda Farm area to reclaim land of the sugar mill allegedly occupied by the Santal community.