Gaibandha: The judicial probe body formed to investigate the forced eviction, killing and arson attacks on the Santal community at Sahebganj in Gobindaganj upazila visited Madarpur and Joypurpara areas on Tuesday morning to hear the affected people and witnesses in this connection.

The judicial probe body, headed by the district’s Chief Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Shahidullah, was formed following an order of the High Court (HC).

The Chief Judicial Magistrate along with other members of the probe body visited the areas at about 11:00am and heard the complaints of the victims of the Santal community.

Meanwhile, a team of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), led by Bogra PBI’s additional superintendent of police (ASP) Mohammad Akhter Hossain, visited the same areas at about 10:00am.

At least three Santal men were killed and 27 people, including nine policemen, injured following a clash with law enforcers and workers of Rangpur Sugar Mill in Gobindaganj upazila on 6 November.

The clash broke out when workers of Rangpur Sugar Mills along with police went to Bagda Farm area to reclaim land of the sugar mill allegedly occupied by the Santal community.

Two cases were filed on behalf of the Santal community with Gobindaganj Police Station in this connection. Another case was filed by police and the Rangpur Sugar Mill authority.

Following the incident, three human rights organisations filed three separate writ petitions with the HC.