They fought tooth and nail to drive away the British Army. Some of them even sacrificed their lives. But 66 years after the country gained Independence, the family members of the martyrs remain unrewarded.
As many as 29 persons including one woman were shot dead by British police and 56 others severely injured at Bhadrak district’s Iram, known as second Jallianawala Bagh of India, on September 28, 1942. Along with them, 19 other freedom fighters are also fighting for assistance from the Government. Freedom fighter Pari Bewa, who died in the firing, is regarded as the only lady martyr of Odisha. Her grandson Bidyadhar Sahu said though they had met several ministers and government officials to get compensation, none paid any heed.
After years of fighting with the State administration, the martyrs’ families have received only a house under IAY. While the applications of the left out jailed and injured freedom fighters are gathering dust, non-jailed ones are deprived of even consolation.
The situation in Iram was very much similar to that of Jallianawala Bagh and the number of martyrs was also second to it. Recalling the historical firing on a huge gathering during the freedom movement, a freedom fighter Keshab Barik (93) said they could not come out of the place as three sides of the field had walls and from the other side the British Army was firing indiscriminately.
“The bullets hit my shoulder and stomach. I lost sense on the spot. When I regained sense two days later, I was told that my friends had been shot dead. I was discharged from the hospital after a fortnight. Till date, I have not received any compensation or financial assistance from the Government,” said Barik.
These freedom fighters are now fighting another battle. Despite receiving several citations for their role in the Independence movement, they are yet to get freedom fighter’s pension. Like Barik, 19 other freedom fighters have applied for the pension for the last four decades, but to no avail. Another freedom fighter Sitaram Nayak (88) said they have been facing embarrassing situations in the family. “Our grandsons are criticising us. They are asking why does not the Government give us pension if we had sustained bullet injuries in the firing by British Army. I tell them that getting pension is not the criteria to be known as a freedom fighter. I am satisfied that the country is independent and I could do something for it,” he said.
Families of all martyrs are leading a miserable life. While many lost their only earning members, others sacrificed their only sons. Though a memorial is built at Iram, it lies neglected.