Santals' protest rally in Gaibandha demanding protection of school, playground
Gaibandha Correspondent
In Gaibandha’s Gobindaganj, members of the Santal community held a protest rally on Saturday demanding the protection of the “Shaheed Smriti Shyamal Mangal Ramesh Non-Government Primary School” and its playground, as well as the eviction of local land grabbers from their property.
The rally took place at Bagda Bazar on the Gobindaganj–Dinajpur regional highway.
Men, women, and children from the Santal community of Katabari Union joined the rally carrying traditional bows and arrows.
Speakers at the rally alleged that a local land grabber, Ataur Rahman Sabu, and his associates have been obstructing indigenous students from attending the school, creating an environment of fear and insecurity. They said the land grabbers also prevent children from playing in the field, vandalize school furniture, and issue threats to parents.
The protesters demanded the immediate arrest and legal action against Ataur Rahman Sabu and his accomplices. They also called for the school and playground to be freed from illegal occupation and for ensuring the safety of teachers and students.
The rally was presided over by Philimon Baskey, president of the Sahebganj–Bagda Farm Land Recovery Committee. Among others, the event was addressed by Advocate Sirajul Islam Babu, convener of the Indigenous–Bengali Solidarity Council; Kibria Hossain, coordinator of BASAD Dinajpur; Michael Hebrom, general secretary of the Ghoraghat Indigenous Development Organization; Adrias Murmu, Olivia Hebrom, Ripon Besra Joy, Priscilla Murmu, Sharmin Mardi, Ramen Mardi, and British School.
