Amid the long-running dispute between Rangpur Sugar Mill authorities and Santals along with local Bangalees over Sahebganj-Bagda farm area -- Santals, living in makeshift houses in Gobindaganj's Santal Palli in Gaibandha, are struggling to cultivate around 1,500 acres of land due to a lack of irrigation water.

They staged a demonstration, blocked roads, and submitted written applications to the local electricity office, upazila nirbahi officer, and deputy commissioner. They also talked to the Rangpur divisional commissioner to get electricity for the irrigation pump. But they are yet to get it.

Last year, around 1,500 Santals and local Bangalees, who have been waging a movement to get back their forefathers' lands from Rangpur Sugar Mills, cultivated around 1,500 acres of land (out of 1,842 acres) in the Aman season and got around 2,100 tonnes of paddy.

They had also cultivated 1,200 acres of land in the Boro season and harvested around 2,900 tonnes of crops, said the farmers.

However, due to the short-term drought in the rainy season, lack of irrigation pumps, and a sharp increase in fuel price, farmers of this area could cultivate only 1,000 acres of land in Aman season this year, 500 acres less than the last year.

Thomas Hembrom, a Santal farmer in the area, said, "This year, we could not cultivate much land due to the lack of rain. We would be able to cultivate more if we had proper electricity."

Sufal Hembrom (68) of Joypurpara village said, "Due to the lack of rain and inadequate facility for underground water, we did not cultivate around 500 acres of land this Aman season."

"This season, crops are dying due to lack of irrigation water. Still, the government officials are not giving us an electricity connection," complained Sufal.

Raja Mia (60) said, "We can't even provide water in cropland with a sallow machine, as the fuel price is too high. If we get electricity, we can grow crops."

Philimone Baske, president of Shahebganj and Bagda Farm Bhumi Uddhar Sangram Committee, told The Daily Star, "The Rangpur sugar mill counted losses year after year, but we are producing crops on this land. Due to the lack of water, we can't make proper use of the land."

"We already organised over 50 rallies to realise our demand, but to no avail," said Philimone.

Asked, Deputy Manager Aktaruzzaman of Gaibandha Palli Bidyut Samity, Gobindaganj zonal office, said, "If the UNO and president of the upazila irrigation committee give them an irrigation-boring license, we will provide the electricity lines."

Contacted, Gobindaganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arisf Hossain said, "We have talked to Santal community of the Sahebganj-Bagda farm area already. We will survey the area and provide them with electricity lines soon."

On November 6, 2016, a tripartite clash broke out among Santals, staffers of Rangpur Sugar Mills, and police over the eviction of indigenous people from the disputed land at Shahebganj cane farm of Rangpur Sugar Mills.

The clash left three Santal men dead and 20, including nine police officers, injured.

Today, Santals in Sahebganj-Bagda farm area are organising protest rallies and remembering the three Santal men who were killed in the clash. They will also demonstrate to get back their forefathers' land from Rangpur Sugar Mills.