On November 6, 2016, police opened fire on the Santal community in Gaibandha. Three Santal men were killed, and many more injured in the wake of an eviction operation to drive out the community from the Sahebganj-Bagda sugarcane farm land. Under the noses of the local police, staffers of the Rangpur Sugar Mills burned the houses of the minority community. Their property was looted, and many of them were shot because they resisted being evicted from the land that they had lived on for generations. We remember promises of rehabilitation and compensation from the authorities.

Yet, a year on, this promise has not materialised. Many from the community are still living in shanties. The Rangpur Sugar Mills has taken control of their school, and so, their children cannot even continue their education. On top of these, their attackers have gone unpunished—of the 33 people against whom cases were filed, only one has been arrested and the charge sheet is yet to be submitted.

On the other hand, at the time, cases were filed against many Santal men. Today, still, they fear further harassment with these cases hanging over their heads. After the incident, many locals have even allegedly stopped hiring these men. For those injured in the attacks, the situation is worse: maimed, they do not even have the option to work for their livelihood.

The demands of the Santals were simple—the land, which was acquired from them in 1962 be returned to them as the conditions then stipulated. Not only has that not happened, no form of compensation has been given to them either. It is absolutely unacceptable to hear that after a year, initiatives are still ongoing for the rehabilitation of these 300 families. We hope that the authorities act immediately to fulfil its promises, and ensure justice through proper investigation of those involved directly or through collussion.