Kanaklata

Kanaklata Barua was born in Barangabari, Assam in 1924. On 20 September, 1942 she joined a group of freedom fighters and marched towards Gohpur Police station to hoist the Tricolour in support of the Quit India Movement. Police at the station opened indiscriminate fire on the group to prevent team from committing such daring act. Kanaklata Barua was martyred in young age with a Tricolour furling in her hands

Role Of Kanaklata In India’s Freedom Struggle
Rejection by Azad Hind Fauz did not deter Kanaklata from joining India’s freedom movement.She went ahead and joined Mrityu Bahini- a death/suicide squad. She was below 18 years when she joined Mrityu Bahini. She was granted membership because of her zeal of serving the country. She was subsequently made the leader of the women cadres of Mrityu Bahini.

After the martyrdom of Kushal Konwar, the revolutionary camp of Gohpur division of undivided Darrang district decided to unfurl the National Flag at the local police station on 20th September, 1942 under the leadership of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. On the other hand, Rebati Mahan Som, the officer in-charge of the police station was already prepared for such action by the freedom fighters.

Kanaklata, with the National flag in her hand, led the procession with the members of Mrityu Bahini. They were warned by the police not to proceed further or face grave consequences. When the officer threatened her that they would start firing if she moves forward, she told him to do his duty and she would carry on with hers.

Undeterred by the warning, the procession continued to move forward and police started firing at them. As a leader, Kanaklata was holding the flag, she was shot and still holding the flag making sure that the flag does not fall on the ground till Mukunda Kakoti, another member from the group took it from her.

While both Kanaklata and Mukunda succumbed to the police firing, their supreme sacrifice did not go in vain as the Tricolour was eventually unfurled at the police station, adding more fuel to the freedom movement.

This valiant act of Mrityu Bahini only strengthened India’s resolve to dethrone and further weaken England’s grip on the country before eventually the country gained independence on the 15^th of August, 1947.

As a mark of respect to her heroics in the Freedom Struggle, the Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS of the Indian Coast Guard, commissioned in 1997 was named after Kanaklata Barua. Her story may not find many historians to narrate but through the valour and courage she displayed in her teens, she remains an inspiration for many.

Her story was retold in director Chandra Mudoi’s film, Epaah Phulil Epaah Xoril. The Hindi version of the movie, titled Purab Ki Awaz, was also released to reach a wider audience.