Torching of houses of indigenous man triggers protest

Monday, June 10, 2013

Ghoraghat Upazila in Dinajpur

 

Indigenous people of Ghoraghat upazila in Dinajpur protest torching of the houses of a community member. Photo: Star

Criminals torched the houses of an indigenous family in Ghoraghat upazila early yesterday, triggering panic and resentment among the community.
The indigenous people of the area yesterday brought out a procession and submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner through Ghoraghat UNO, demanding probe and justice.
According to the locals, an unidentified gang attacked the houses of Nicolas Murmu at Bagjapara, a village of indigenous people, at around 2.00am and set them afire.
In the memorandum, the community people alleged that on June 6, around 200 Bangalee settlers, led by Azizar Rahman of Bhelain village in the upazila, attacked a slum of indigenous people at Dighipara village. They indiscriminately beat up the residents including women and children and looted their houses.
The attackers also took away  40 cattle, 60 goats, 5 rickshaws and a bicycle worth Tk 11,43,000, it said.
The same day they attacked a church at Bulakipur village, assaulted several people and hurled filthy words towards the priests of the church.

Houses burnt to ashes at Bagjapara village. Photo: Star

Protesting the atrocities of the settlers, the indigenous people at Balukipur brought out a protest procession in the upazila. Later they went to Ghoraghat UNO office complex and submitted a memorandum to DC.
Contacted, indigenous leader Bijoy Toppo said that the community people have been passing their days in panic and anxiety due to repeated attacks.
“We want a solution to this continuous repression on the indigenous community”, he added.
Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not contact Azizar Rahman for his comments as he was not receiving any phone call.
Earlier on Thursday, one Morshed Ali Prodhan was murdered over collecting mango from a disputed orchard at Roghunathpur village in Ghoraghat upazila.
Later, a murder case was filed with the local police station, accusing Nicolas Murmu.
Police arrested Nicolas and sent him to jail, said OC of Ghoraghat PS.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/torching-of-houses-of-indigenous-man-triggers-protest/

 

 

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