Secure financial future of freedom fighters’ families: ASFFA

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: As the nation gears up to celebrate the 77th Independence Day tomorrow, the Assam State Freedom Fighters’ Association (ASFFA) has made a clarion call to the Assam Government to take long-term measures to secure the financial future of the families of freedom fighters, many of whom are in dire straits.

Talking to The Sentinel, ASFFA general secretary Dwijendra Mohan Sarma said, “The families of freedom fighters are slowly fading from public memory because they have not got any recognition. When a freedom fighter dies, his/her spouse is entitled to the pension. But when the spouse dies, the pension stops and the family is forgotten. Many families of freedom fighters are living in extreme poverty. The State Government must take up schemes to secure the future of freedom fighters’ families – socially and economically.”

He said that during the rule of the Congress government in the State, a decision was taken to issue identity cards to the spouses and children of freedom fighters. It was also decided to set up a freedom fighters’ office in every district. However, both decisions were not implemented.

“The Assam Swatantrata Sainik Relief Rules, 1988 had been framed for the general welfare of freedom fighters and their families. Times have changed and these Rules have become outdated. These Rules cannot solve the problems which freedom fighters and their families face in the present times. It was a long-pending demand of ASFFA that the Rules should be amended. The government had sought ASFFA’s views and suggestions on the amendments that should be made to these Rules. We have submitted our views and suggestions but we are yet to hear from the government on the further course of action. We demand that the Rules should be amended as soon as possible,” said Sarma.

He further said that only 60 freedom fighters of Assam who had taken part in the country’s freedom struggle are alive. “Around 45 of them are bedridden and only about 15 can move about. Maybe in the next five years, there will be no freedom fighters alive in Assam. So now is the time to secure the identity of the families of the freedom fighters and to give them recognition,” he said.

Sarma lamented the fact that while the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, no one cared to enquire about the welfare of the families of the 32 martyrs of Assam who had made supreme sacrifices during the freedom movement from 1921 to 1942. “ASFFA put together a database of the families of these martyrs and submitted it to the government. The Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government gave a one-time financial grant of Rs 5 lakh to the descendants of the martyrs. But this is not enough. The martyrs made the supreme sacrifice. Families of many of these martyrs are struggling to manage two square meals. The government must take up special schemes for their welfare and financial security,” he said.

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