The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking government authorities to explain in four weeks why their alleged inaction in protecting the land rights of the Santal national minority community in Rangpur should not be declared illegal and without lawful authority.

The court also questioned why the alleged illegal and arbitrary disbursement of compensation in a land acquisition case in favour of unauthorised persons, depriving the actual Santal landowners of lawful compensation, should not be declared void.

The bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Abdur Rahman issued the rule after hearing a public interest litigation writ petition filed by Ain o Salish Centre alleging violation of the constitutional rights of Santal people guaranteed under Articles 28(4), 42 and 23A of the constitution.

According to the petition, the respondents failed to take effective measures to evict alleged trespassers from disputed lands belonging to Santal families in Rangpur district, resulting in continued deprivation of their land rights.

The petitioner also alleged that compensation under Land Acquisition Case No. 12/2018-2019 was unlawfully disbursed to unauthorised individuals instead of the actual national minority landowners.

The High Court asked the respondents to show cause as to why they should not be directed to restore possession of the disputed lands to the actual Santal owners and ensure proper assessment and payment of compensation in accordance with law.

The respondents include the secretary of the Ministry of Land, the deputy commissioner of Rangpur, the additional deputy commissioner (revenue), the upazila nirbahi officers of Mahiganj and Mithapukur, and the assistant commissioners (land) of the respective areas.

Lawyer Syeda Nasrin and Shahinuzzaman appeared for ASK.