4 indigenous laborers killed at Manda in Noagaon
On 4 May 2012 at around 11.00 am 4 indigenous laborers were killed and 10 more, including woman, seriously injured at Chakgopal field in Kashpur union of Manda upazila in Noagaon district in a clash over land dispute.
It is learnt that Mr. Maharama Mardi (48), Mr. Madan Mardi (45) and Mr. Iliyas Mardi (40) were killed in the spot and seriously injured Mr. Krishna Mardi died in the following day morning in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. All the deceased were inhabitants of Pungi (Nibuda) village of Niyamatpur thana under Naogaon district.
Office-in-Charge (OC) of Manda police station Abdullahel Baki said that Mr. Anowar and Mr. Dalim, farmer of Chakgopal village, have a long dispute over 10 Bigha land. In this regard a trial has also been running in the Court.
He added, Mr. Anowar has implanted Boro paddy in the current season but on that morning Mr. Dalim hired some indigenous laborers for reaping the Boro paddy. At that time, Mr. Anowar brought some Bengali people with rod and sharp weapons. As a result a clash occurred between them. In that clash 3 indigenous laborers were killed on the spot. After hearing the news, police went to the spot immediately and recovered the dead bodies and sent to the Noagaon Sadar Hospital for autopsy.
Witnesses said that a group of people led by Anowar came with sharp weapon (Hasuya, Ramda etc) and attacked on the indigenous laborers.
In this case Mr. Salam, brother of Mr. Dalim filed a case against Anowar and his gang. It is learnt that the police did not arrest anyone until now.
Sobin Chandra Munda, General Secretary of Jatiyo Adivasi Parishad (JAP) and the other indigenous leaders visited the place on 5 may 2012 in the morning. At the afternoon they also visited the victims and families and expressed condolences to the afflicted families. JAP leaders demanded the immediate action of this incident, and immediate arrest and punishment of the perpetrators.
On 4 May 2012 in the evening Adivasi Chhatra Parishad (Indigenous Students’ Forum) at Rajshahi town and on 5 May 2012 non-governmental organization (NGO) Broti at Manda upozila organized protest gathering and demanded arrest and punishment of the perpetrators.
On 7 May 2012 JAP organized a protest gathering and human chain at Naogaon town. The leader of the organization demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the perpetrators.
Following the incident, police arrested Dalim, who hired the indigenous laborers and 6 persons of the Bengali attackers.
