Bhandaripokhari: Kaharapokhari Kranti Maidan in this block of Bhadrak district, a site which stands testimony to the strong protests by freedom fighters against the repressive measures of the British government, has been lying in neglect.
Though 70 years have passed since Independence, nothing remarkable has been done for the development of this historic site, a report said.
Bhadrak made remarkable contribution to the freedom movement of the country. The district was witness to the infamous firing at freedom fighters at Lunia September 22 in 1942, followed by the shootout at Iram September 28.
However, the sparks of the Quit India movement against the British in Orissa were ignited August 17, 1942 when over a hundred freedom fighters set ablaze the Bhandaripokhari police station.
On that day, freedom fighters Dwarika Prasad Das, Jagannath Prasad Das and Baishnab Nayak were marching ahead on Jagannath Sadak (now known as National Highway-5), raising slogans, but peacefully.
At that time, personnel of Bhandaripokhari police station suddenly pounced upon the freedom fighters without any provocation.
Inflamed over the sudden onslaught by police, some freedom fighters set the thatched police station afire before fleeing the scene.
Bhandaripokhari police then inform their counterparts in Bhadrak and additional forces were sent there in four jeeps to bring the situation under control.
The freedom fighters could sense that the situation would take a turn for the worse if the police forces reached the location. The freedom fighters got together and hid behind a bush at Kaharapokhari near Jagannath Sadak. They thought of a plan to thwart the movement of the police. There was a wooden bridge on Jagannath Sadak on which the police vehicles would pass. The angry freedom fighters pulled down the bridge overnight.
As a result, the approaching police jeeps fell into a ditch. Furious over the incident, the police started repressive measures and launched brutal action against the freedom fighters.
All villages in Bhandaripokhari looked deserted after all male persons fled went underground. For days together, the women folk did not cook food.
Locals allege the incident has not found mention in history books. Besides, the site where the freedom fighters had planned the conspiracy against the British is now pushed into oblivion.
Apart from a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, nothing has been done for the development of the historic site, locals lamented.
“People gather here August 17 to recall those days. The site has been neglected due to administration apathy and lack of political willpower even though various quarters have been demanding steps for its development,” locals alleged. PNN
