Published: 17th Aug, 2023
Kanaklata Barua & Matangini Hazra
President Droupadi Murmu in her speech on the eve of Independence Day hailed the contribution of women freedom fighters and remembered the contributions of Kanaklata Barua and Matangini Hazra.
About Kanaklata Barua (1924-42):
- Kanaklata Barua was born on 22 December 1924 in Assam’s Barangabari village.
- Barua initially wanted to join Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj.
- However, her status as a minor excluded her from joining.
- Barua then joined the Mrityu Bahini group.
- Though the Mrityu Bahini had a similar policy of not allowing minors, Barua managed to persuade them to allow her to join and was even put in charge of the cadre.
- On 20 September, 1942, Barua, aged just 17, led a group of 5,000 freedom fighters on a march towards Gohpur Police station to hoist the Tricolour in support of the Quit India Movement.
- British forces at the station then opened indiscriminate fire on the group.
- Barua, who was at the forefront of the procession, was shot dead at point-blank range.
Matangini Hazra (1870-1942):
- Matangini Hazra’s active role was in the Civil Disobedience Movement, participation in the Salt March, and her instrumental role in the Quit India Movement highlights her commitment.
- Her ultimate sacrifice while leading a procession to seize a police station demonstrated her unyielding spirit.
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