, and apprised him of the development while calling for his immediate intervention, considering the gravity of the situation.

Dr. Janmajit Roy, president, Tarun Bikash, secretary, and Masooq Ahmed, member, of Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sankritik Sammelan, Karimganj unit, also met the Deputy Commissioner on the issue and impressed upon him the need for immediate steps to preserve the historical site.

The historical battleground at Latu under encroachment

It is apprehended by the NGO that the way encroachment is taking place might assume a serious dimension. It is a common phenomenon across the State that land grabbers backed by influential circles have been actively encroaching upon State land. Even the most sacred birthplace of Shankar Dev, Bordua in Nagaon district has not been spared and land grabbers continue to occupy the land in and around the holy place.

On the insistence of Patkai Trekkers, the Director of the State Archeological Department visited the site of the sepoy mutiny at Latu recently and pointed out to the members of the NGO that the land in question is under dag no. 155 in North Karimganj and it belongs to the State. He assured that steps would be taken to recover the land which had been encroached upon. He also said that the takeover of the historical site would be considered seriously for its maintenance and its management as a spot of tourist interest.

Quite ironically, the historical and revolutionary phase of Latu in the annals of the freedom struggle of the country is glossed over by historians. No steps have been taken to clear the jungle of Latu and raise a memorial in honour of the brave soldiers who fell there ‘unheard, unsung and unhonored.’ Historian E A Gait in his book ‘History of Assam’ recounts that in November, 1857, three companies of the 34th Native Infantry stationed at Chittagong mutinied and after burning their residential lines broke open the jail and plundered the treasury. Then they marched towards Comilla and from there moved into the jungles of the Tippera Hills and subsequently entered the southeast of Sylhet.

Gait adds that as soon as Allen, member of the board of revenue, heard of their movement, he was directed to intercept them. On his advice, Major Bying, commandant of the Sylhet Light Infantry, now known as 8th Gorkha Rifles, set out with 160 men and reached Pratapgarh, 80-miles in distance, in the short span of 26 hours. On receiving information that the rebels were expected to pass through Latu, 28 miles away, Major Bying, along with his contingent marched by night and reached Latu early in the morning. The rebels numbering around 200 reached this spot soon afterwards and stood just 30 yards from the enemy position. The British contingent tried to gain them over by appealing to their religious feelings as well as nationality but the only answer they received was steady fire.

No steps have been taken to clear the jungle of Latu and raise a memorial in honour of the brave soldiers who fell there ‘unheard, unsung and unhonored.

Dr. Sujit Choudhury, eminent educationist and historian and editor of ‘The Munity Period in Cachar’ quoting the correspondences of Captain Robert, Superintendent of Cachar, says that in the ensuing gun battle that took place on December 18, 1857, Major Bying who was the commander of the British contingent was killed in the fierce encounter along with five other soldiers. Subedar Ajodhya Singh of the rebels displayed exemplary strategy and won the battle.

Notwithstanding the victory, the mutineers left behind 26 of their comrades dead. Some of them were buried on the hillock of Malegarh near Latu. Despite all the tragedy and adversities, nothing could stop the mutineers. Unfortunately, they were attacked by a detachment of the Sylhet Light Infantry under Lt. Ross and were again put to fight. Being in disarray, several of them died of hunger and disease. Their story of glorious battle, their supreme sacrifice, their agonies have passed into ballads and folk songs.

Quite poignant are the tales of several rebels who, unable to carry heir children deserted them to die while the British continued to chase them. The mutineers almost exhausted and emaciated, many of them wounded, camped in the deep jungles of Mohanpur near Silchar. Taking advantage of their condition, the soldiers of Lt. Ross swooped in on the famished rebels and brutally tortured them. Still, some got away and marched on to reach the Bhuban Hills on the Manipur border. On the way, there were bloody encounters with the British army. In all, the rebels had lost 185 of their officers and sepoys.

It is to be recollected that at Latu, 26 soldiers who along with 200 of their comrades mutinied in the famous Chittagong armed rebellion 155 years ago on December 18, 1857, laid down their lives, fighting against the British. Significantly, the fierce battle took place at a hillock called Malegarh. Latu also became famous for the last battle of a contingent of the 34th Native Infantry which had mutinied and reached this place via Sylhet, after looting the armoury.

Quite poignant are the tales of several rebels who, unable to carry their children deserted them to die while the British

The former Deputy Commissioner of the district, Debeshwar Malakar, submitted a project report to the State Government to develop Latu as a tourist site and for raising a suitable memorial in honour of the brave heroes. He also spoke of preserving the swords and other belongings of the mutineers. He at the same time did add that he would explore the possibility of building a museum here. Some villagers possess some of the memorabilia associated with the battle of Latu which they show to the people visiting the historical site.

Patkai Trekkers regretted that the proposal to build a suitable memorial at Latu was submitted long ago to the State Government but nothing was done in this regard. Quite significantly, women too took up arms and fought gallantly along with their male counterparts and suffered untold miseries. Many of them died in action and many were taken prisoner and executed. But, their resistance against the British force for a whole month after the Latu episode, notwithstanding the death of their commanders and their losses, lack of rations, extreme physical and mental exertion and the rough terrain they had to overcome, has become a part of the glorious history of India’s freedom struggle. But, the question is, will the district administration and the State Government take action to remove the encroachers and save the historical heritage of the saga of bravery and gallantry of the rebels? Sadly enough, the encroachment remains and even continues till this day.

Jyotilal Chowdhury