Balasore, September 10 (odisha.in)
Thousands of residents, political leaders, government officials and freedom fighters from West Bengal paid
tribute to the legendary and revolutionary freedom fighter Baghajatin on his 92nd death anniversary on Monday at Desuan Pokhari in Chasakhand village,12 km from Balasore.
Baghajatin, popularly known as Bengal Tiger fell to British bullets on September 10, 1915, after
his four-man army team waged a terrible fight at Chasakhand.
The people also gave floral tribute to the great Indian freedom fighter, popularly known as Bengal Tiger at his statue in the campus of Barabati girls’ high school, the then hospital where he had succumbed to his injuries and at his Samadhi inside district jail campus.
Two separate meetings were organized by Baghajatin Unnayan Committee and Baghajatin Bikash Parisad at Barabati girls’ high school premises and Chasakhand, respectively where the true patriot’s sacrifice to the nation was discussed.
A delegation of 130 people including 15 freedom fighters led by Hiralal Das Roy, secretary of Balasore Atma Utsarga Smarak Samity, Kolkata attended both the meetings.
Balasore Collector Alekh Chandra Padhiary hoisted the national flag at the school campus and addressed the gatherings.
Speaking on the occasion Padhiary reiterated the life history of Baghajatin. He besides terming him a most dedicated nationalist urged the youth mass to follow his foot steps.
“Baghajatin has set an example for the youth of both West
Bengal and Orissa. They should learn something from his ideology and act accordingly,” he advised.
Expressing his satisfaction over the development works made by the Bikash Parisad for the Baghajatin park, president of Balasore Zilla Parisad Girish Chandra Dash informed that the government is considering the proposal to declare the place as a tourist destination.
In his brief speech Balasore Sadar MLA Arun Dey assured to form a special committee to look after the development work of the place and make it a major tourist attraction.
Disappointment however prevailed among the local residents and they felt setback as none of the guests declared anything concrete.
The freedom fighters from West Bengal also expressed
their displeasure over the negligence shown by the state government for the martyr.
“Each year hundreds of Bengalis come here to visit the place and pay tribute to Baghajatin. But many others don’t come only because the dilapidated condition of the connecting road,” told Manoranjan Ray Choudhury, a visiting WB freedom fighter.