Economic zone designed to oust Santals from their land, alleges 'Aware Citizens' group

Authorities have proposed a special economic zone (SEZ) on the land acquired from Santals in Gaibandha's Gobindaganj in a bid to ensure that the Santals never get the land back, Professor Dr Abul Barkat has alleged.

The Dhaka University economics professor was speaking at a news conference arranged in Dhaka on Saturday to place a seven-point charter of demands, including proper trial for killings of Santals during the eviction from their land two weeks ago.

"They came up with the proposal to set up a special economic zone here so that the question of returning the land and properties of the tribe never arises," he said.

Barkat alleged the proposal was brought to the Prime Minister's Office with an aim to 'delay the process of returning the land'.

At the press conference, called under the banner of 'Aware Citizens', Dr Barkat said that the document for acquiring the land says the sugar mill authorities will never be able to cultivate anything other than sugarcane on the land.

Three people from Santal tribe were killed in police firing while many others injured in clashes with sugar mill workers and police. Scores of Santal houses were allegedly vandalised and looted.

In 1962, the 'Rangpur Sugar Mill' acquired 1,840 acres of land in 18 villages occupied by Santals and Bengalis for sugarcane farming at Gobindaganj.

The Santals now want the land back as it had been leased out for farming tobacco and paddy, which they say violates the deed of acquisition.

Barkat said the district administration in a report had claimed that the mill was cultivating sugarcane on the land while the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority said the land was left unused.

"Three Santals were killed for such contradictory reports. This incident has lowered Bangladesh's image in international arena," he said.

Association for Land Reforms and Development Executive Director Shamsul Huda, 'Nijera Kori' Coordinator Khushi Kabir and 'Brotee' CEO Sharmin Murshid were also present.

Meanwhile, fire broke out broke out at the sugarcane farm at around 1:30pm on Saturday that damaged crops of nearly 18 acres of land.

The Gobindaganj Upazila fire service managed to put it out but the cause of the fire remained unclear.