Government ‘Acts East’ on freedom fighters

Not just “Look East”, the Central government in a bid to walk the talk on its “Act East” policy will honour 10 freedom fighters from the Northeast, who remain forgotten from the narrative of the Indian freedom struggle.

The government will honour this group of ten, including three women, as part of the 70th Independence Day celebrations.

It was on September 20, 1942, during the Quit Indian movement, that Kanaklata Barua, just 17, was shot dead by the British in Assam’s Gohpur in her attempt to unfurl the national flag at a local police station.

The same day, in Assam’s Nagaon district, Bhogeswari Phukanani, a 57-year-old mother of eight, was killed for the same reason by the British police.

While Kanaklata was leading a group of villagers following Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India Movement, Bhogeswari and her colleague Ratnamala were leading a procession at Barhampur when police officer Captain Finish snatched the flag from Ratnamala. An enraged Bhogeswari hit Captain Finish with the pole of the flag on which Captain Finish shot dead Bhoges-wari with his revolver.

Another woman leader who will be honoured is Naga spiritual and political leader from Manipur Rani Gaidinliu. The Ranima, as she was fondly called, led a movement against the British in 1930s. In jail for 14 years, she was released only when India got independence in 1947.

Kushal Konwar, from Assam, will also be honoured. Konwar was hanged by the British for derailing a military train.

From Dipa village in Arunachal Pradesh, Moje Riba will also be honoured. Riba was arrested by the British for participating in the Independence struggle and distributing pamphlets during the Quit India Movement.

Assam’s first chief minister Gopinath Bordoloi will be among those honoured as it was due to his continuous fight that Assam remained with India after he foiled the design of Muslim League to include the Hindu-dominated state into East Pakistan during “grouping” scheme.

Khasi leader Tirot Sing fought against British attempts to take over control of the Khasi hills. He died on July 17, 1835 under house arrest in Dhaka.

Shoorvir Pasaltha Khuangchera, the first Mizo leader to fight Britishers in 1890, will also be honoured. Shoorvir died fighting the British when they invaded the Lushai hills (Mizoram).

Matmur Jamoh, from Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh, killed a British assistant political officer Noel Williamson in 1911 as he did not like the British interference in people’s day-to-day life. He will be among the ten to be honoured. Jamoh was sent to Cellular jail in the Andamans where he died in obscurity.

Another freedom fighter from Assam, Sambhudan Phonglo, a Dimasa tribal leader, will also be honoured for his contribution during country’s freedom struggle.

Ten Freedom Fighters: Kanaklata Barua Bhogeswari Phukanani Rani Gaidinliu Kushal Konwar Moje Riba Gopinath Bordoloi Tirot Sing Shoorvir Pasaltha Khuangchera Matmur Jamoh Sambhudan Phonglo