Assam CM offers floral tribute to martyred freedom fighter Kushal Konwar

Guwahati: Assam today paid its respects to martyr Kushal Konwar, one of the most prominent freedom fighters of the state who participated in the Quit India Movement (1942-43) against the British.

"On this pious day, we are paying our respects to this great men and we should resolve that we should all work towards the upliftment of the nation, and promote unity, ", Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who paid a floral tribute to the great freedom fighter in Guwahati's Nehru Park, told media. The Chief Minister also interacted with the prominent freedom fighter Krishna Lahkar on the occasion.

Kushal Konwar, born on 21 March 1905 at Balijan near Sarupathar was an Indian-Assamese freedom fighter from Assam and he happened to be the only martyr in India who was hanged during the last phase of the Quit India Movement.

On 10 October 1942, hidden in the thick fog of early morning, some people removed few sleepers of the railway line near Sarupathar in Golaghat district. A Military train passing by derailed and many British and American soldiers lost their lives. The British army immediately cordoned the area and started an operation to catch the culprits, and Kushal Konwar was accused as the chief conspirator. At dawn on 15 June 1943 at 4:30 am, Kushal Konwar was hanged in Jorhat Jail.

Today, the locals of Sarupathar also cherished the memory of one of its most prominent figures. A solemn ceremony held at Rajuhuwa Bhavan (Community Hall) premises in Sarupathar. The program was organized jointly by the Dhansiri subdivisional administration, Dhansiri Freedom Fighter's Association, and local citizens. Floral tributes were paid after lighting the lamp on the tomb of the great freedom fighter who laid his life for the sake of the freedom of the country from the hands of the British.

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