After Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has last week sanctioned Rs 4 crore for development of infrastructure at the Amco-Simco Sahid Pitha, the historic monument is all set to get a major facelift. Amco-Simco Sahid Smaraki committee has welcomed the move.
According to sources, the Amco-Simco site, located near Kuanrmunda area under Sundargarh district, has the resemblance with much famed historic Jalianawalabag incident. As many as 49 persons were killed in British firing at Amco-Simco, while staging a protest against Khutkati tax, imposed on the farmers by the British Government.
On the repeated demands of locals for recognising the place for its historic importance, the State Government in 2016 had declared the spot as a tourisf spot and had sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for establishment of a Sahid Stambha in memory of all martyrs. Accordingly, on a patch of about five acres land, a 33 fit long Sahid Stamba have been constructed. Besides, State Tourism Minister Ashok Panda in March last had visited the spot and announced sanction of another Rs 40 lakh for its beautification.
The Amco-Simco Sahid Smaraki Committee (ASSSC) had requested Sundargarh MP and Union Tribal Affair Minister Jual Oram to sanction Rs 5 crore from his ministry, for the facelift of the historic site.
Accordingly, following a high level meeting between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and officials of Tribal Research Institute (TRI) of Odisha on May 22, Rs 4 crore was sanctioned.