Latu, the scene of 1857 mutiny relived
From our Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 19: In a simple but solemn function organized by NGO ‘Patkai Trekkers’ at Latu, 15 km from the border town of Karimganj, today, floral tributes were paid to the 26 brave souls of ‘Sepoy Mutiny’, who laid down their lives fighting the British forces in this non descript village. In fact, Latu or Malegarh was the theatre of first war of independence of 1857 in north-east region. Prof Janmajit Roy in his key-note address before the assembly of district and BSF officials as well as civilians in large number narrated briefly about the significance of Latu which has become famous for the last battle of a contingent of the 34th Native infantry who had mutinied at Chittagong against the British rule and reached here via Sylhet, after looting the armoury.
Recounting the heroism and valour of the soldiers or mutineers, Roy said despite all the odds, they when encountered and charged by the British army fought back valiantly. Though they were put to adverse situation, they could kill Major Bying, the commanding officer of the British force, along with five other soldiers. The fierce battle took place at a hillock called Malegarh.
Unfortunately, 26 of the 200 mutineers were also killed, he pointed out. It was exactly on December 18, 1857, 155 years ago, that the mutineers became martyrs. Along with the Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj, Debeshwar Malakar, SP, Pradip Poojary, BSF 115 Commandant, Rajiv Kumar Dua, MLA, Kamalakha Deb Purkayastha, former MLA, Mission Ranjan Das, convener and members of Patkai Trekkers, Mriganka Kishore Gogoi, journalists, Arup Roy and Mujib Ahmed, and a large number of people paid their respect and homage to the martyrs’ column raised there in memory of the soldiers ‘who laid down their lives for our tomorrow’.
Students of Saraswati Vidya Niketan and Maharshi Vidya Mandir sang patriotic songs befitting the historic and glorious occasion.
Debeshwar Malakar said that he would submit a project report to the State government to develop Latu as a tourist centre and for raising a suitable memorial in honour of the brave heroes. Kamalakha Deb Purkayastha pointed out for preserving the swords and other things of the mutineers, he would explore the possibility of building a museum here. Some villagers possess some of the memorabilia associated with the battle of Latu which they showed to the people.
Patkai Trekkers regretted that the proposal to build suitable memorial at Latu was submitted long ago to the State government but nothing was done in this regard. Quite significantly, women too took up arms and fought gallantly along with their male counterparts and suffered untold miseries. Many of them died in action and many of them were taken prisoners and executed. But, their resistance against the British force for long one month after the Latu episode, notwithstanding the death of their commanders and loss of them, lack of ration, extreme physical and mental exertions and rough terrain, has become a part of the glorious history of India’s freedom struggle.
Source:
http://www.sentinelassam.com/cachar/story.php?sec=2&subsec=12&id=143101&dtP=2012-12-19&ppr=1#143101
