Self-reliant no longer

Even in the beginning of last month, Monglu Soren, a 61-year-old Santal woman, was able to feed herself and her family members without depending on anyone's sympathy.

But after November 6, things changed.

During a clash with Santals that day, police fired their shotguns and she was hit by several pellets in her left thigh. The clash broke out after police launched a drive to evict the indigenous people from the disputed land of Rangpur Sugar Mills in Gaibandha's Gobindaganj upazila.

Three Santals were killed and several others were injured.

“I can't work with such an injury. Besides, I have already spent all my savings [around Tk 4,000] for my treatment,” she said, adding that she lost her home as well.

 Monglu now has to seek food from others.


A Santal woman having a meal, in the open. She is sitting very close to an earthen stove so that she stays warm. Photo: Anisur Rahman

The woman alleged that police along with some mill staff and their hired goons set Santal shanties, including hers, on fire on November 6. The Santals have to spend most of their time in the open.

Police denied any role in setting any home on fire.

Hopna Murmu, 58, a Santal farmer, said he was lucky to have survived.

He was hit by rubber bullets on his chest while he was fleeing a “joint attack of police and sugar mills workers”, he said. 

"After I was hit by rubber bullets, my relatives took me to a private clinic in Dinajpur. I don't know how they managed the money for my treatment.”

Hopna Murmu came back to Madarpur in Gobindaganj some 15 days ago. Now he is staying in a tent beside a village church.

Talking to The Daily Star in front of the tent in the chilling weather on Thursday, Hopna removed his shirt to show the reporters his wound yet to properly heal.  

He said he stopped taking medicines a few days ago as he was able to walk again.

Budoni Hasda, 61, was also hit by pellets in the head that day.


Injured Monglu Soren, sleeping on a plastic sheet. She has no home and does not have the ability to work. Photo: Anisur Rahman

"Most of these elderly people were injured in the attack as they could not run fast enough, said local Santals.

Another Santal woman, Minara Begum, 50, who was shot that day, took shelter in a tent there.

“I can't walk properly as I did not go outside for treatment fearing arrest,” said the woman whose son Miraj was arrested by police on charges of setting Santal homes on fire.

“My son is innocent. I want his release as soon as possible,” she said.

Rafayel Hasda, a leader of the evicted Santals, said the injuries of Choron Soren, Bimal Kisku and Dijen Tudu, among other Santals, were the most severe.

Choron and Bimal are being treated at Rangpur Medical College Hospital while Dijen is at a Dhaka hospital, said their family members.