Thousands bid tearful adieu to Keshab Chandra Deka

MANGALDAI, Dec 11: Proving himself to be an ardent follower and activist of the historic six-year long Assam Movement once again, that too for the last time, former president of Kalaigaon Anchalik Students’ Union and later of the All Darrang District Students’ Union, Keshab Chandra Deka closed the chapter of his life on the historic day of December 10 while the entire State celebrated Swahid Divas.

 Following a sudden brain stroke, he was earlier admitted in a private hospital in North Guwahati on November 28. Immediately on receipt of the news of his demise, a large number of mourners, including Kalaigaon legislator Maheswar Boro, Executive Member of BTC, Lwmshrw Daimary, general secretary of Axam Xahitya Xabha rushed to the hospital to offer their last respects on Sunday evening and also accompanied the last journey of Keshab Chandra Deka to his residence.

 Deka later joined the AGP as the secretary of Mangaldai district committee and was also elected as the only non-Bodo and AGP candidate from Mudoibori constituency to the first Council Legislative Assembly of BTC in 2005. However, in 2015 he joined BPF and was elected as the vice-president of Bhergaon district committee of BPF.

On Monday morning his body was taken to his ancestral village at harbari near Kalaigaon where all the grief-stricken villagers offered their last respects. At Kalaigaon a large number of mourners coming from various corners of Darrang and Udalguri districts offered their tearful adieu in two separate functions. Both the Executive Members of BTC, Jagadish Sarkar and Lwmshrw Daimary, legislator of Paneri, Kamali Basumatary, Speaker of BTC Assembly, Nerson Boro, Additiol Deputy Commissioner of Udalguri, Dithakanda Hazarika, office bearers of Udalguri and Bhergaon district committee of BPF, office bearers of Udalguri district committee of BJP and members of AASU offered floral wreath on his mortal body. 

 A large convoy led by Executive Member of BTC, Jagadish Sarkar later escorted the onward journey to Mangaldai where he was laid to eterl peace. In a function arranged at the office of the district AASU, Sipajhar legislator Binda Saikia, a number of activists of Assam Agitation, cultural organizer and industrialist Rajib Kumar Deka, Additiol Deputy Commissioner Kalpa Deka, chairman of Mangaldai Municipality Board, Pratap Bordoloi, members of AASU, AGP, AJYCP, media persons, members of Mangaldai Youth Club and Mangaldai Chambers of Commerce and various organizations offered their heartfelt tribute to Keshab Chandra Deka. 

The inerasable image of a popular leader with selfless interest who always preferred to stand before the needy in the hour of crisis, and of extraordiry organizing skill was again reflected at the public crematorium at Bhebarghat on Monday as leaders of different political parties and organizations assembled there to pay their last homage. Mangaldai BJP legislator Guru Jyoti Das, former Congress parliamentarian Madhab Rajbongshi, former AGP legislator Hiren Kumar Das, office bearers of Darrang district Congress Committee and leaders of BPF attended the funeral of Keshab Chandra Deka. 

 Besides involved with the AASU, Deka was a key person in formation of ‘Green Society’-the first non government organization of the undivided Darrang district on conservation of ture and wildlife in 1996 and played a lead role in creating awareness on conservation of ture and Wildlife. He also assisted the wildlife wing of the State Forest department in checking the poaching of rhinos in Orang tiol Park.

Deka leaves behind his wife Rinti Moni Deka- a singer of repute-and 11-year old daughter Deba Kanya and 7-year old son Jok, besides a number of relatives and friends. BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary meanwhile has expressed deep shock over the demise of Keshab Chandra Deka and offered his condolence to the bereaved family members. The BTC administration has also officially mourned his demise while the BPF has decided to fly their flags half mast for seven days.