Dhaka: The High Court on Thursday asked the authorities concerned to allow the Santal people to harvest paddy from their land at Bagda Farm in Rangpur Sugar Mill area of Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha.

An HC bench comprising Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Krishna Debnath issued the order following a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed by three organisations.

The HC also directed to return black gram and other crops looted by miscreants from their land.

Besides, it also asked the officer-in-charge of Gobindaganj Police Station, superintendent of Gaibandha police and deputy commissioner of the district administration to submit a report within 30 November  about what steps have been taken by the government following the attack on Santal men.

It also asked the local administration to ensure their safe movement in the area.

The HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the failure and indifference of the local administration to protect the lives and assets of the Santal men should not be declared unlawful.

Advocate ZI Khan Panna and AM Amin Uddin stood for the petitioners while deputy attorney general Motaher Hossain Saju represented the state.

Earlier, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK)​, Association for Land Reforms and Development (ALRD) and Brotee Samaj Kallyan Sangstha jointly filed the writ with the High Court on Wednesday challenging the legality of police firing on Santal people during a clash with the law enforcers and workers of Rangpur Sugar Mill.

The Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Rangpur Range, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Gaibandha, Chairman of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) and Deputy General Manager of Sahebganj Sugar Mills among 11 people were made respondents to the petition.