KUSHAL KONWAR
The renovated lock-up where freedom fighter Kushal Konwar was kept. Image credit - Northeast Now

Golaghat Police in Assam has renovated and preserved the lock-up where freedom fighter Kushal Konwar had spent some time after his arrest by the British.

Kushal Konwar was the only martyr in the country who was hanged during the last phase of the Quit India Movement of 1942.

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The renovated lock-up located in the premises of Golaghat PS was inaugurated by Golaghat Deputy Commissioner Dhiren Hazarika on 73rd Independence Day.

The lock-up is now open for the public.

“When Superintendent of Police Pushpraj Singh joined in January this year he came to visit our police station,” said Dipak Bora, officer-in-charge of Golaghat PS.

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“One of our staff members informed him about the existence of this special lock-up,” said Bora.

“Accordingly, we were instructed to begin the renovation work of the lock-up and to do all the needful for its preservation as it has an immense heritage value,” he added.

The cost of the renovation has been borne by all the staff members of the police station including superior officers, informed Bora.

KUSHAL KONWAR
The lock-up where freedom fighter Kushal Konwar was kept. Image credit – Northeast Now
The lock-up where freedom fighter Kushal Konwar was kept. Image credit – Northeast Now

“We are also planning to set up a statue of Kushal Konwar,” police officer Bora told Northeast Now.

Kushal Konwar was born on March 21, 1905 at Balijan near Sarupathar in assam’s Golaghat district.

On October 10, 1942 a train carrying British soldiers got derailed at about one kilometre away from the Sarupathar station under Golaghat district resulting in the death of many soldiers.

Since Kushal Konwar was a prominent Congress leader, he was arrested by British on November 5, 1942 accusing him as the main conspirator of the incident.

He was later sentenced to death by hanging.

After his arrest, Kushal Konwar was kept in the lock-up of Golaghat Police Station for a brief period.

He was hanged by the British at 4:30 am on June 15, 1943 in Jorhat Jail.