Wrongdoings of grassroots leaders have become a perennial source of frustration for Awami League (AL) higher-ups. Even before the healing of the scar inflicted by the recent attacks on Hindus in Nasirnagar of Brahmanbaria, allegations of orchestrating an attack on Santals in Gaibandha's Gobindaganj have surfaced against local leaders of the ruling party. Sources said grassroots leaders and workers of the party were behind the attack on Santals in Gaibandha. As in the case with Brahmanbaria attacks, they were instigated by the local lawmaker and the union parishad chairman of the AL. The Brahmanbaria district AL has already suspended three local leaders for their alleged instigation and involvement in the attack on Hindus. These leaders are: Abul Hashem, Nasirnagar union Chairman and also assistant secretary of the upazila AL, Faruk Mia, president of the Haripur union AL, and Haji Suruj Ali, president of the Chapartola union AL.  AL higher-ups have taken these issues very seriously. Several central leaders told The Independent that tough action will be taken against those involved in the attacks on the country’s ethnic minorities.  
Talking to this correspondent, AL joint general secretary Dipu Moni said the party high-ups had been trying to find out whether local leaders were involved in those attacks. “If found guilty, AL higher-ups will take stern actions against our party leaders and lawmakers,” she added.
Meanwhile, an AL delegation, led by AL Rangpur division organising secretary BM Mozammel Haque, visited the Santal community in Gobindaganj yesterday to get a first-hand report of the incident, where three indigenous people were killed in a clash over land dispute.
AL organising secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, finance and planning secretary Tipu Munsi, relief and social welfare secretary Sujit Roy Nondi and executive member Remond Areng were also present. The AL leaders talked with members of the Santal community and assured them of taking action against the guilty.
Speaking at the rally, Santal leaders alleged that locals, instigated by the local lawmaker and UP chairman, had launched brutal attacks on their community and forced them out of their homes, took away their valuables and torched their houses in presence of police.
They also demanded trial of the attackers after a fair investigation. They also urged the government to return their ancestral land.
Rumila Hembrom, Mina Maddi, Methious Maddi, Barna Das Tudu and Shamal Maddi spoke in favour of the Santal community at the rally. After hearing their allegations, the AL leader present at the rally said that legal action would also be taken against the instigators. They assured the Santal community of providing land, security and other faicilities.
Speaking at the rally, AL leader BM Mozammel Haque said, “Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina wants fair investigation into the incident. She has sent us here to know the real scenario. The guilty will be punished irrespective of their party affiliations.” On Sunday, Santals had clashed with a group of Bangali settlers and labourers of Rangpur Sugar Mills in Gaibandha’s Gobindaganj. Police fired shots to control the situation. Following the attack, the evicted Santals moved to nearby villages and started living in makeshift houses.