They are real unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle, but people know little about the martyrdom of around 1,500 Bhil tribals who were shot dead on 13 November, 1913 at Man-garh hillock under Banswara district of Rajasthan. The locals call it mini-Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The state government has decided to commemorate the centenary of the Mangarh massacre in a big way.
“It is unfortunate it took a long time for the tribal martyrs to get recognition from outside the tribal belt. The incident of martyrdom has been confirmed by documents and papers available at the National Archives of India,” says Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, the rural development minister, who represents Bagidora Assembly constituency under Banswara district.
The rural development minister said the incident took place when the tribal people assembled under the leadership of legendary Govind Guru at Mangarh hillock and the forces fired indiscriminately, killing a large number of people on the spot while others succumbed to their injuries later. He added: “It was bigger than Jallianwala Bagh but it did not get recognition. We salute every martyr and do not like to draw a parallel.”
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Let Lalu run railways, says Pak legislator
Islamabad, Nov. 16: A Pakistani lawmaker surprised his colleagues on Friday by suggesting that the country’s railways should be handed over to former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav if the government was unable to tackle the state-run entity’s numerous problems.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement lawmaker Sajid Ahmed made the suggestion in the National Assembly or Lower House of Parliament while parliamentary secretary for railways Noman Islam Sheikh was answering questions about the performance of the railways.
Mr Yadav is widely credited for guiding the turnaround of the Railways.
Pakistan Railways has been plagued by several problems over the past few years, including the lack of locomotives, shortage of spare parts and fuel and the cancellation of dozens of trains due to lack of financial resources. Mr Sheikh said new locomotives would have to be purchased for reviving railways and making it a profitable organisation. — PTI