Sambalpur: A “historical monument” will be constructed at the Raktatirtha Kudopali

Kudopali, a Raktatirtha under the Sambalpur Metropolitan Corporation, is neglected today. Since 2013, Western Unity Forum has been organizing a special program to commemorate the Martyrs’ Memorial Day on 30th December in Kudopali, the bloodiest place. After a written request from the Western Union Ekta Manch to the district administration, the metropolitan administration has expressed urgency today. Commissioner Pradeep Sahu, Enforcement Officer Shubhankar Mohanty, Junior Engineer Indramani Sahu visited Kudopali Ghat and Kudopali and prepared a plan on how to develop the historical infrastructure of the area. Prominent historian Deepak Panda informed about the events of December 30, 1857. Journalist Shivprasad Meher gave information about the program held at Ghati in the past days. Kudopali Senior Citizens Committee President Sonundriya Donsana and former Sarpanch Trilochan Mahanand Kudopali drew the attention of the Commissioner about the various problems of the Kudopali village, after which the Municipal Corporation took up various improvements in the village along with the construction of the historic Prithil Sai Memorial Mandap, wall painting in the village, development of a pond under the ghat and beautification project at the bottom of the ghat. Work is planned to be carried out. In addition, in the preparation meeting held at Kudopali, the organization of a special program in the memory of Shaheed on December 30 was discussed. In 1857, 53 people were martyred by Irish bullets and 5 people were hanged on the gallows in one day at Kubopali Ghat, Sambalpur, a rare event in history. As a major ghat of Vir Surendra Sai’s guerilla war, just eight km away from Sambalpur, it is now under Sambalpur Metropolitan Corporation. On December 30, 1857, the Irish made a surprise attack on Kudopali Ghat. 53 people lost their lives along with the fifth brother of Vir Surendra Sai who was in charge of Kudopali Ghat. An Irish soldier who had helped the rebels was hanged along with four of his associates who were caught. Kudopali Balki Ganda, Balmukund Kandha Kuda, Budhu Ganda Haduganda fighters lost their lives on the same day. Former Chief Minister Hemanand Vishwal, former Minister Deta, Sanatan Bishi, Mahananda, Raseshwari Manigarahi visited the bloody Kudopali Ghat and participated in various events. However, except for the broken building, no arrangements have been made to protect the memorial. Since 1981, a tribute program was being held at Kudopali Ghat on the birthday of Veer Surendra Sai. An Irish soldier who had helped the rebels was hanged along with four of his associates who were caught. Kudopali Balki Ganda, Balmukund Kandha Kuda, Budhu Ganda Haduganda fighters lost their lives on the same day. Former Chief Minister Hemanand Vishwal, former Minister Deta, Sanatan Bishi, Mahananda, Raseshwari Manigarahi visited the bloody Kudopali Ghat and participated in various events. However, except for the broken building, no arrangements have been made to protect the memorial. Since 1981, a tribute program was being held at Kudopali Ghat on the birthday of Veer Surendra Sai.