MANGALDAI, Jan 29 - Like the previous years the unit of Red Horns Division deployed in Chapai, Darrang in their unique way paid tributes to the 140 �krishak swahids� who were brutally gunned down by the British at the historic peasants� rebellion at Pathorughat on January 28, 1894.
In this connection, a public function was organised on Wednesday at the campus of Krishak Swahid memorial park at Pathorighat, some 20 kilometres from here. The Commander of Invictus Brigade took part in the homage paying function as the chief guest and offered floral tributes in full military style and honour while senior journalist Bhargab Kr Das as the appointed speaker spoke on the occasion.
Earlier on Tuesday, the 126th edition of the Krishak Swahid Divas observed both by the government and the public. The Darrang district administration on this occasion organised floral tribute on the martyrs� memorial tomb, public meeting, exhibition and tractors� distribution function among others. Sipajhar Legislator Binanda Kr Saikia, Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Dass, District Development Commissioner Sweety Gogoi Kalita were among the distinguished guests present. The Darrang AASU in association with a local socio-cultural organisation Pathoru Samannay Gosthi also paid homage to the martyrs at Pathorighat. The president of Darrang AASU Khanindra Rajbongshi, central executive member Arup Kalita were the senior AASU leaders who participated in the programme.
On the other hand, the Darrang District Krishak Sangha, a premier farmers� body of the district observed the Divas at Panbari village along the Darrang-Udalguri border. The daylong celebration at the Panbari GP playground featured swahid tarpan, flag hoisting, community cleanliness drive, plantation and open session among others. The open session chaired by Mojaffar Hussain, the president of the Krishak Sangha was attended by prominent thinker and writer Adip Kr Phookan, adviser of AJYCP Bhabesh Kakati, senior journalists Luchi Neog and Asad Ali among others.
Addressing the largely-attended meeting of village farmers, Adip Kr Phookan said that every year an average of 12,000 farmers have committed suicide in India and under the regime of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre, the situation is even worse. Explaining the pitiable condition of India�s farmers, Phookan said that the average monthly income of a farmer in the country is still only Rs 3000. He strongly criticised the Modi government alleging a pro-corporate attitude in the name of farmers� beneficiary schemes like the PM Fasal Beema Yojana.
