Freedom-fighters families struggle for survival

 NABARANGPUR: The Nabarangpur district played an important role in the historic Quit India Movement with sacrifices of freedom fighters of the area. Nineteen freedom fighters, all tribals, were killed in police firing and hundreds arrested on August 24, 1942. Besides Quit India Movement, many others sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom. Even after six decades of the incident, surviving family members of many of the freedom fighters are living in abject poverty. They allege neglect and apathy by the district administration and the State Government. Parama Pujari, former minister and granddaughter of martyr Baga Pujari, said while the economic condition of the ‘babus’ and politicians has increased,  that of families of the freedom fighters has only deteriorated.  While many of them are even finding it difficult to manage two square meals a day, the State Government is only a mute spectator to their plight. A veteran leader of the district Jayadev Parida, alleged that not a single pie had been spent by the administration for providing basic amenities to such families. “In the name of remembering the martyrs, the administration has just built a Swadhinata Sangrami Smarak (freedom fighters memorial) at Netaji Subhas Bose Chowk in the town,” he said. Advocate Swadheen Patnaik, whose family donated the land for construction of the memorial, said lakhs of rupees being spent on the maintenance of the Swadhinata Sangrami Smarak  has only benefited the contractors. Muna Tripathy, whose father-in-law was part of the freedom struggle, echoed similar views. She said sacrifices of many of the people who participated in the fight for freedom have gone unnoticed.“Nothing is being done to actually remember them,” said Muna.