Basudevpur: Basudevpur in Bhadrak had played a major role in our freedom struggle. But sadly, the development of the Saheed Pitha here has been stalled by controversies, and the funds provided by the culture and tourism department have remained unspent.
Answering Mahatma Gandhi’s call, thousands from the area had joined the freedom struggle. While fighting against the British, 29 people were killed and 56 injured in police firing at Eram September 28, 1942.
Eram was splattered with the blood of freedom fighters. A freedom fighter died in jail too. The only woman freedom fighter who was martyred was Pari Bewa.
The place, Rakta Tirtha Eram, still reminds us of the great sacrifice of freedom fighters. Some call the place the second Jallianwala Bagh, but historians have not properly placed the great sacrifice of the freedom fighters here. Due to this, the Eram is still not considered a place of national importance.
However, the state government has accorded the Saheed Pitha a tourism spot status. It provided Rs 40 lakh for its development three years ago. But the funds have not been spent to develop the place due to land disputes. The matter is now pending in court.
Union minister of oil and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan had got Rs 1 crore sanctioned for development of the place. That amount also remains unspent.
Locals said the district administration and local leaders seem to be cold towards development of the place.
It is also a fact that the social economic conditions of the families of the martyrs have not improved.
The family of freedom fighter Mani Bej, who had urinated on the uniform of a British policeman, is now in miserable condition.
Even though all arrangements are in place for observation of Saheed Divas Friday, locals demanded that the administration take steps to sort out the legal tangle so that the Saheed Pitha can be developed.
PNN
