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Self-reliant no longer

Injured Shantals now rely on others' sympathy

PINAKI ROY and Kongkon Karmaker
Even in the beginning of last month, Monglu Soren, a 61-year-old Santal woman, was able to feed herself and her family members without depending on anyone's sympathy.
But after November 6, things changed.
During a clash with Santals that day, police fired their shotguns and she was hit by several pellets in her left thigh. The clash broke out after police launched a drive to evict the indigenous people from the disputed land of Rangpur Sugar Mills in Gaibandha's Cobindaganj upazila.
Three Santals were killed and several others were injured.
"I can’t work with such an injury. Besides, I have already spent all my savings [around Tk 4,000] for my treatment," she said, adding that she lost her home as well.
Monglu now has to seek food from others.
The woman alleged that police along with some mill staff and their hired goons set Santal shanties, including hers, on fire on November 6. The Santals have to spend most oftheirtimein the open.
Police denied any role in setting any home on fire.
Hopna Murmu, 58, a Santal farmer, said he was lucky to have survived.
He was hit by rubber bullets on his chest while he was fleeing a "joint attack of police and sugar mills workers", he said.
"After I was hit by rubber bullets, my relatives took me to a private clinic in Dinajpur. I don't know how they managed the money for my treatment."
Hopna Murmu came back to Madarpur in Cobindaganj some 15 days ago. Now he
is staying inatentbesideavillage church.
Talking to The Daily Star in front of the tent in the chilling weather on Thursday, Hopna removed his shirt to show the reporters his wound yet to properly heal.
He said he stopped taking medicines a few days ago ashewasabletowalk again.
Budoni Hasda, 61, was also hit by pellets in the head that day.
"Most of these elderly people were injured in the attack as they could not run fast enough, said local Santals.
Another Santal woman, Minara Begum, 50, who was shot that day, took shelter in a tent there.
"1 can't walk properly as I did not go outside for treatment fearing arrest," said the woman whose son Miraj was arrested by police on charges of setting Santal homes on fire.
"My son is innocent 1 want his release as soon as possible," she said.
Rafayel Hasda, a leader of the evicted Santals, said the injuries of Choron Soren, Bimal Kisku and Dijen Tudu, among other Santals, were the most severe.
Choron and Bimal are being treated at Rangpur Medical College Hospital while Dijen is at a Dhaka hospital, said their family members.