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Tribal Catholics jailed on 'false' charge

Accused are victims of land-grabber trying to steal their property, community leaders say
Tribal Catholics jailed on 'false' charge
Some of the tribal Catholics who were falsely accused of theft and managed to avoid recent police arrest
Published: May 03, 2011 09:12 AM GMT
Updated: May 03, 2011 09:12 AM GMT

Three tribal Santal Catholics have been arrested in northwestern Dinajpur diocese for allegedly plundering a farmer’s field of potatoes. But villagers and local community leaders said today the three are innocent and are victims of an unscrupulous Muslim farmer who they claim laid false charges against the three men and seven other tribal people in February this year. Palton Murmu, Chhoyla Murmu and Rubel Kisku, from Jaborhat in Suihari parish were arrested on April 30. The complaint filed by Abdul Jalil alleges that the three men and their alleged accomplices stole a large amount of potatoes worth about 80,000 taka (US$1,143) from his field. “No one knew that a case had been filed against these people until police suddenly stormed into the village and arrested them,” said local catechist teacher Samuel Hembrom. Local Communist Party leader Noor Mohammad, a Muslim said the allegation against them is a result of a land dispute. “Over the past 5-6 years Jalil has grabbed part of their land. Many times we have tried to solve the dispute rationally but he refuses to discuss the issue,” Noor Mohammad said. He said the tribal people recently announced they had authentic documents proving ownership of the disputed land, which prompted Jalil to file a false case against them in a bid to keep hold of the property. Union Council chairman Daghda Mohon Roy, a Hindu, said the accusation is completely false. “I visited the field myself and found there was no potato cultivation there at all!” He said yesterday he had submitted a written statement to the police. Imran Chowdhury, a Muslim lawyer who is representing the accused said he’s trying to arrange bail for the three men. Father Anthony Sen, secretary of the Dinajpur diocesan commission for justice and peace said the Church is fully behind the men in custody. “Some Muslims here look down at tribals and often forge land documents to force them from their ancestral lands. They think there is no one to help them. But we have always fought for their rights and will do so in this case,” Father Sen said. Related reports Rights group wants justice for villagersMuslims torch Christians’ housesCatholics fight dowry demands and land grabs BA14078

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