Martyrs of peasants' uprising against British raj remembered

Mangaldai, Jan 29 (UNI) The martyrs of the peasants uprising of 1894 of Patharughat in Asom were remembered today.

The 113th anniversary of the peasants' revolt against unjustified increase in land revenue by the British rulers, in which 140 peasants were killed, was observed with a two-day long celebration at the venue of the protest, which ended today.

Patharughat is situated on the banks of river Digaz, under Patharughat revenue circle, in Darrang district of Asom.

The farmers, belonging to various castes, creed and religion, had risen against British tyranny as a cohesive force in 1894, placing Asom among the fore runners of India's struggle for independence.

A ceremony was organized by the Army's Red Horn's Division today at Patharughat to mark the anniversary of the famous uprising, attended by about 3,000 people.

Maj Gen Gyan Bhusan, GOC of the Red Horn's Division, in his speech as the chief guest, recollected the sacrifice made by the peasants for their motherland.

Terming the National Games boycott by the ULFA as 'unfortunate', he said no terrorist group can stop Asom on its road to progress.

Darrang district Deputy Commissioner Sailendra Kumar Nath assured that the project to include Patharughat in the tourist map of India was being pursued actively and a proposal had been sent to the higher authorities.

Freedom fighter Paniram Das, who attended as the guest of honour, also paid floral tribute to the martyrs.

The memorial at Patharughat was constructed by the Army, with cooperation of the district administration, and the same was dedicated to the memory of the martyrs by then-Governor Lt Gen.

(retd) S K Sinha on January 28, 2001.

UNI