Rourkela: The Jalianwala Bagh massacre of Punjab is recognised the world over whereas the Amco-Simco bloodbath which took place near Raeboga in Kuanrmunda block of Sundargarh district where 49 tribals laid down their lives to British bullets doesn’t get the same attention.
The tribals led by their leader Nirmal Munda were brutally killed by the police at Amco-Simco April 25, 1939 and the incident is considered the biggest massacre by the British government in Orissa. It is also considered the 2nd Jalianwala Bagh of pre-independence period. Since then, local people have been observing this day as martyr’s day.
Though, the government, bowing to public demand, placed the site in the tourism map, no major initiative has been taken for the beautification of the spot which has angered the locals.
Visitors face lots of difficulties in the absence of a rest shed at the spot while it is better not to mention the state of the entrance gate, said a local.
The tiles fitted in the gate are falling one after another and the roads leading to the site are in miserable condition, he added.
Similarly, the memorial site of martyr Nirmal Munda has been lying neglected. The local administration, however, never fails to pay homage at the site every year, a few others said sarcastically.
“Though we have approached the MLA, the MP and the administration on several occasions seeking renovation and beautification of the site, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” said local tribal leader Ramachandra Amat.
According to reports, the state government placed the site on the tourism map after demands from people over the years. Recently, the tourism department granted Rs 50 lakh for the site but the amount got exhausted in construction of memorial plaques and leveling the ground.
“We express gratitude before the government for recognising the site as a tourist destination. However, the site has not received the amount of attention it deserves,” said Birsa Munda Statue Committee secretary Bijay Kumar Toppo.
Panposh sub-collector Himanshu Behera said the grant was meant for first phase renovation. Proposals have been sent to the tourism department for remaining works, he added. PNN
