“We are the people who were beaten and whose houses were burnt to ashes after being looted to the last valuables. We were shot and wounded critically. And now they have handcuffed my ailing husband and tied a rope around his waist – what kind of justice is this?”
Charan Soren, one of the victims in November 6 attack on his village in Gaibandha, was spotted lying in a hospital bed in handcuffDhaka Tribune
Her husband Charan Soren was shot by police during a clash between Santals and police on November 6 at Gobindaganj, Gaibandha.
Demanding immediate arrest of those who attacked the Santals, Pani sought for the interference of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“There is no law in this country for us. The law is for the police and terrorists,” she said in desperation.
The bloody clash, where police were backed by a group of goons allegedly loyal to the local lawmaker, ultimately left three Santals killed at Madarpur and Joypur villages of Gobindaganj.
During a spot visit to the hospital Friday afternoon, this correspondent found severely wounded and handcuffed Charan Soren undergoing treatment at a surgical ward, being tied at the waist by a rope with to the bed. Two policemen were guarding him by the bed.
Charan Soren, who was shot by rubber bullet, said: “A group of people aided by police evicted us from the land that belonged to our predecessors. They beat us mercilessly and threw us out of our houses. They did not even allow us to take our belongings. They looted our valuables and set fire to our houses.
“Police fired bullets at us indiscriminately when we tried to save our homes. I was shot at both my legs.”
Critically injured Charan was rushed to the hospital, but while undergoing treatment, police came and handcuffed him and tied him to the bed on Wednesday night.
When he asked the police the reason behind such inhumanity, he was told that he had been accused in a violence case as a terrorist.
Charan said he does not have the capability to bear the treatment cost. Tears trickling down his cheeks, he told this correspondent: “The cost is being maintained by borrowed money and people’s donation.”
Meanwhile, in orthopaedic Ward 31, this correspondent found a handcuffed Bimal Kisku, severely wounded by police bullets, who was put to sleep with sedatives due to severe pain. A rope was tied around his waist also.
Bimal Kisku, another victim in November 6 attack on his village in Gaibandha, was also spotted lying in a hospital bed in handcuff Dhaka Tribune
Assistant Sub-Inspector Asad was tying the other end of the rope to the window grille guarding the Santal who also was shot at his both legs.
The doctor on duty said Bimal’s condition was not very well.
Bimal’s wife Chichil Kisku said: “Instead of filing a case against those who looted and burnt our houses, the police have filed cases against the helpless indigenous people.”
She said: “What kind of humanity is this when a critically injured man shot at the legs is handcuffed and tied with a rope around the waist!”
ASI Asad said: “The handcuff has been put to prevent him from fleeing.”
This article was first published on Dhaka Tribune
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