Locals express anger at dilapidated condition of freedom fighters' memorials in UP

Lucknow, Aug 14(ANI): Ahead of the 65th Independence Day, the dilapidated condition of freedom fighters' memorials in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, drew sharp criticism from the locals.

Doriyah Kala Independence Memorial and memorial at Chauri Chaura is in deplorable condition as the paint of the walls of the memorials chipped off and the surroundings were unkempt.

Locals complained that the memorials were befouled, strewn with garbage and animal droppings, and no action was taken by the civic authorities to clean the mess.

The residents of Gorakhpur blamed the municipal corporation for their callous and irresponsible attitude and added that they clean the memorial only twice a year.

"These freedom fighters are our ancestors, who gave their heart and blood for the independence struggle. My forefather died with a bullet in his leg. You can yourself see in what condition this memorial is at present," said Rangilal Yadav, a local.

Customarily, the District Magistrate visits the memorial on August 15 and August 23.

"Only on these two days the memorial is cleaned. The DM promises every year of renovating the memorial, but from past ten years the memorial remains to be in a dilapidated state," he added.

Doriyah Kala Independence Memorial was erected in the memory of freedom fighters, who were killed in firing by the British soldiers on August 23, 1942. library was built on the memorial grounds recently. However, there were lack of books and information on the August 23 incident.

"After lot of requests and demand, a library was established in memory of the freedom fighters. But you can see its condition as well, there are inadequate amount of books and hardly is there any document on the August 23 incident," said another local, Revathi Raman Pandey.

Another memorial in Chauri Chaura was also in a deplorable condition. The entrance gateway and the walls of the monument, which was damaged, were not epaired.

The memorial at Chauri Chaura was built in remembrance of the freedom fighters, who were killed on February 4, 1922. (ANI)