Even as the Kranti Divas (August 9) was observed in the country on Tuesday, it was recalled that more than 150 freedom fighters of Odisha were martyred in the historic Quit India Movement in 1942 against the British rule.
While this saga of sacrifice made 74 years ago had changed the course of the nation’s history, the present generation is oblivious about the details of this great movement.
The British Government had taken into custody almost all the top leaders, who had participated in the movement following the call ‘Do or die’ given by Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi at the Indian National Congress’ special session held in Mumbai (Bombay).
Two veteran leaders Malati Choudhury and Surendra Nath Dwibedi were encouraging the freedom fighters in Odisha. Odisha’s participation in the movement was remarkable in spite of lack of facilities for proper transport, absence of a strong media and, above all, a majority portion of the State being part of the princely states.
According to Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (UGSN) sources, nine people from lunia and three from Tudigadia in Baleswar district were martyred in the British police firing during the Quit India Movement.
Besides, another Jallianwala Bagh-like massacre was scripted at Eram in the district where at least 29 protesters were killed and 56 were seriously wounded when the ruthless British soldiers opened fire at a crowd of nonviolent protestors. Besides, police killed four and injured 19 in Kaipada-Kalamatia in Jajpur district for protesting against the British rule. Five others were gunned down and many more were injured when police fired at nonviolent protestors at Mathili of Malkangiri district.
Following the incident, tribal youth leader laxman Nayak was hanged to death on a false charge. Nineteen people were martyred and 17 others were seriously injured in the police firing at Papadahandi of Nabarangpur district when police resorted to indiscriminate firing. One was killed and many more were injured during the movement at Nimapara in Puri district as well.
Besides, in the princely states as many as five in Dhenkanal, four in Nayagarh, two in Nilagiri and 17 freedom fighters in Talcher were killed during the movement.
Several others who were arrested in this connection were martyred during imprisonment.
At least 83, mostly tribals. died without getting proper medical treatment after getting injured in police firing and lathicharge and some while in jails in undivided Koraput district. Many more freedom fighters in other regions have been martyred in the police crackdown during the period.
All the jails were overcrowded with the protestors arrested during the movement in Odisha, said a document of the UGSN.
