Barrack construction soon to rehabilitate Santals

Staff Correspondent: The Bangladesh army will soon initiate the construction work of barracks with an aim to rehabilitate the evicted Santals of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha.

Prime Minister's office is implementing the projects involving Bogadah Ashrayan, Fakirganj Ashrayan and Fulhar-1 Ashrayan to rehabilitate the evicted Santals. Barracks will be constructed soon in the project area for them.

Gaibandha Deputy Commissioner Gautam Chandra Pal in a written statement informed the court on Monday.

Deputy Attorney General Tapos Kumar Biswas and Assistant Attorney General Titus Hillol Rema presented the written statement before the court.

The Bangladesh army has visited the projects which were damaged by recent flash floods and completed primary survey work regarding this after the flood. The construction work of barracks will be soon initiated. After the construction of barracks, evicted Santals can be rehabilitated there, Deputy Attorney General Tapos Kumar Biswas told the court.

The court later fixed November 22 to submit progress report in this regard.

Earlier on February 15, the High Court (HC) issued directives to the authorities concerned to inform it as to what measures were taken to rehabilitate the evicted Santals of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha.

The court asked Gaibandha deputy commissioner (DC) and Gobindaganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) to reply in this regard within next 30 days.

The HC bench of Justice Kazi Rezaul Haque and Justice Mohammad Ullah came up with the suo moto order.

Miscreants torched up houses belonging to nearly 2,500 Santals in Shahebganj area in Gobindaganj over a conflict regarding land properties on November 6 last year. Many Santals were injured during a conflict among the Santal, local Bangalis and police. A case was filed against more than hundred Santals.

risingbd/Dhaka/Oct 23, 2017/Mehadi/Amirul