DERGAON, Dec 13 � Veteran socialist leader and former Agriculture Minister Soneswar Bora � known as �Krishak Pitri� � passed away at the Kushal Konwar civil hospital, Golaghat around 5 this morning.
He was 86 had been suffering from cancer.
Born at Rupkalia Da-gaon, Furkating in Golaghat district on May 6, 1926, Bora started his schooling at Hamdoi LP School and later at Phanidhar Bordoloi High school in Golaghat. In 1942 he joined the Quit India movement and in 1943 he joined the Mukti Bahini. Later he joined the Socialist party in 1946. In 1950 he started the great Ghiladhari Krishak Satyagrah and had to go to the jail for 10 months for this. In 1951 he started the Daiyang Land Encroachment for poor farmers and for that he was honoured as the Krishak Pitri by the farmers of the district. In 1962 he took part in the Assam Assembly elections from the Socialist Party from Golaghat constituency and lost. Later he again contested the polls from the Socialist Party in 1967 and 1972 and won the seat.
In 1978 he won the seat from the Janata Party and became a Minister.
In his later days Bora devoted his time for the welfare of the farmers in Daiyang and was the pioneer of the small scale tea garden industry in the State. He wrote several books on farmers and the Daiyang Mukti Movement, with 30 published works and another 11 left unpublished for financial constraints.
Known for his honesty, simplicity, integrity and diligence, Bora was a revered figure in the State�s politics.
His body was taken to the DC�s office and the Janata Party office before people paid their final tributes at the Amateur Hall Golaghat where minister Ajanta Neog was also present. His death was widely mourned in the district. Several organizations including Dergaon Sahitya Sabha, Monthly Pratyush, Anurag Gosthi, etc. condoled his death.
His last rites were performed at his native village Rupkalia Da-gaon.
The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), in its condolence message, termed Bora as a leader who was at the forefront of the modernization of the State�s agriculture. �With his death the State has lost an ideal farmer as also an able leader,� it said and conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members.
The Janata Dal (Secular), at a condolence meet, described Bora as a beckoning light for his contemporaries as well as posterity who stood tall with his true leadership qualities of honesty and integrity. �A leader of the peasants and workers, Bora was also instrumental in strengthening the socialist movement in the State,� it said.
The Communist Party of India (CPI), All India Kisan Sabha, the district administration of Udalguri, and many others condoled his death.
