Indigenous-Christian leader Alfred Soren murder case and present situation

By Jahangir Alam Akash, An Indigenous village situated inside of the Rajshahi-Naogaon highway from Rajshahi to Naogaon towards before Naohata moar. There is a grave where laying Alfred Soren. He was the most popular Indigenous-Christian leader. He was living in the northern part of Bangladesh. This picture is the Indigenous village Vimpur Sorderpara. It’s situated at Mohadevpur sub district under Naogaon district. 19 Indigenous families were living in this Indigenous village. At least 275 Bigha (around 92 acres) land is the government land (Khash land) in this village. Out of these lands 40 acres were possession under Indigenous community. But the land lords wanted to occupy this land by force from Indigenous people.
The terrorists groups were attacked to the Indigenous village on 18th August, 2000 during the Awami League period for occupy this land. They killed to Alfred Soren in humanly. They were set fire to the houses and looted. The terrorists were attempted to murder to child, women and other oldest people during attack. At least 25 were seriously injured by the terrorists attacked on 18th August of 2000.
After this attack 5 Indigenous families were flown from this village for safe their life. Presently only 14 Bighas land are possessions under Indigenous community. And 14 Indigenous families are living there to love this land. Though, still they are in threatened by the influential land lords. Indigenous people are panic by the continuous threat.
After the attack Rebeca Soren who is the sister of killed Alfred Soren was filed a murder case against the killers. Though, still they are crying for justice and for their safety. But, the killers are openly sauntering here and there.
Rebeca Soren told that, my brother Alfred Soren was a leader of Indigenous and minority community in this area. The main motive of Alfred Soren murder was to grab the land and persecution of Indigenous and minority people. The influential’s are occupied the land of minority and Indigenous community by force. Not only that, they also torturing to the minority and Indigenous illegally. My brother was protested against this bad activity. He was recovering the lands which were occupied by the land lords. Godai and Schitesh are the main culprits to torturing us and grabbing our lands. Pijush Bhattacharya was taken here to our father and grand fathers. He was committed to give five Bighas lands for family maintains and another five Katha land for live each family. And already have passed 12 years of his promised. But, he didn’t fulfill his commitment.
Alfred was communicate with Godai for fulfill their commitment. Then they were started conspiracy against Alfred. On 4th August, 2000 the terrorists of land lords were tortured to the Indigenous people. Alfred was filed a case against the attackers in this connection. After then the brutal incident of 18th August, 2000 was happened. The Indigenous community was organized a protest meeting against Indigenous persecution at Naohata Moar of Naogaon on 18th August, 2000. Alfred was setup a stage for the protest meeting. After then he was coming in the house for breakfast. In that time the attackers were coming from four sides towards Indigenous village. The terrorists of Godai and Schitesh were full of various weapons. They were set fire to our houses and straws of paddy. They were thrown bricks and brickbats to us. And they were beating, torturing to us by unsystematically. I was injured by their throwing bricks. I was also tried to safe Alfred by two paddy sacks. The attackers told to Alfred that, today we kill you.
In that time I was feel nervous. We were (brother-sister) to go inside a room to hide. But, they were set fire that room. My exhalation was coming to stop. Then I was broken a window and flew from that room. At a stage they were found to Alfred. My brother was requested to them for begging his life from them. But, they killed him by chop with various weapons.
Rebeca Soren told, after that killing we were filed a case. And the villagers went to the local police office. But, police didn’t take any initiative. Though, police was confined our peoples (Indigenous). Then general people were beaten to the policemen. We were told to the police that, the terrorists killed to Alfred. But, police obstructed to general people. We informed to the local officer in charge of police. But, they didn’t take action on killers. They didn’t hear our appeal. Actually he (OC) was taken bribe from the killers. From the village one after another at least three persons went to the police station and informed to the OC. After knew the killing, OC wasn’t given permission to the people for come to the village.
She told, the Alfred Soren murder case is now in the High Court. Though, the case was in local court. But the killers was doing writ again and again. The accused killers were taking bail again and again. But, their bail was cancelled during the Emergency period. Now they are staying in the area. They occupied 120 Bighas land which had possession us. Another brother was threatened by the killers. He was flown from the village after Alfred killing. Later I was taken him to here for my security. The killers told us that, now they want to kill my younger brother.
After receiving threat we were informed to the local police. Now we have no security. We are afraid for their inner conflict. Now the land lords (accused killers) are divided by two factions. We seem that, they would be fight themselves then they accuse to us. Still they are making conspiracy. In the dark night they made meeting to taking revenge on us.
Firstly, they offered me to compromise. They told me that, if I would not agree with their proposal then they will kill me like my brother Alfred Soren. I was told them, never I could betray with blood. No one can buy to me. I always ready to sacrifice my life. In spite of I can’t sit for compromise with the killers. Now, they are doing conspiracy by other way. My brother was killed in day light by inhumanly. I want to real justice for my brother killing. If wouldn’t getting justice of Alfred Soren murder then the killers would be killed to me and my younger brother. Not only that those who are honest and are fighting for the poor people they might me victimized by the killers. Administration attitude has changed to us.
Now they haven’t giving importance to us. Though, after the incident they were very much conscious for our security. Previous time, when we feel problem and went to the administration then they were giving helped us very hurry. But, now that attitude is not alive. If the administration wouldn’t help us then we couldn’t stay here. We want justice and security. At present reality is that, administrations are running for money. And those who have money they have getting importance from police and administration. The moneymen have giving money to the police.
We want to justice of Alfred Soren, Cholesh Richil, Manik Saha, Dipankar Chakraborty, Goutam Das, Principal Gopal Krishna Muhury and all other Indigenous-minority killings.