Netrakona Correspondent

Comrade Kumudini Hajong (92), struggling woman leader of the then anti-British movement and farmers' Tevaga or Tonk movement or Hajong Rebellion in Dugarpur of Netrakona, is no more.

He breathed his last on Saturday afternoon due to old age. At the time of his death he is survived by numerous devotees including 3 sons and 2 daughters. When the news of his death spread among the small tribes, mourning fell everywhere. He lived on a hill in the hilly area in Behratali village of Kullagara union on the border of Dugarpur upazila. Hajong Rebellion Witness Kumudini Hajong World War II, Tongk Movement, Language Movement of 1952, Pakistani Oppression, Discrimination, Oppression, Communal Riots of 1964, Great Freedom Movement in 1971.

He was a witness of the times. Kumidini Hajong was not defeated in the anti-British movement, the anti-Tong movement. Defeated by old age and in the struggle to recover his land. The British police at that time attacked the houses of the protestors to suppress the Tonk movement of the farmers. As a part of this, the British police forcefully dragged the newlywed Kumudini towards the Durgapur police station after not finding Lankeshwar Hajong, the husband of Kumudini, the farmer leader of the agitating Hajongs.

On hearing this news, Rashimani Hajang of Baheratali village, along with hundreds of men and women, resisted to release Kumudini on the bank of Someshwari river with native swords, shields, balls, sticks, arrows and bows. But on the eve of taking Kumudini to the Durgapur police station, the police did not listen to anything, and a policeman died on the spot when Rashmani was in the Elopatari Kupa with Hajong Da. Rashimani Hajong was killed in the retaliatory firing by Pushil. At that time fellow soldier Surendra Hajong hacked the policeman to death. In this incident, 22 Hajong farmers, men and women, were shot dead by the police. After seeing the situation, the police left Kumudini Hajong and left. Fearing more attacks on the villagers, the bodies were floated in the river Someshwari.

The next day the British police raided Baheratali village and destroyed the entire village. After this incident, the story of Rashimni Hajong and Kumudini Hajong's brave fight spread around. Kumudini Hajong's husband Langeshwar Hajong died in 2000.

He was known as the fighting face of Dugarpur people's pride and glory. He has received several awards and honours, including Tevaga Farmers Movement 50th Anniversary Award in 1999, Ananya Top Ten Selected Award in 2003, Swadesh Chinta Sangh in 2005.

Ahmed Sharif Swarak Award, Moni Singh Memorial Medal in 2007, Sidhu Kanhu Phulmoni Medal in 2010, Jalshindi Medal in 2014, Hajong National Award in 2018, Netrakona District Commissioner Award in 2021, Path Pathaga Award in 2022. On his death, the local parliament Member Mushtaq Ahmed Ruhi, Awami League Central Committee Member Raymond Areng, Durgapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer M Rokibul Hasan, CPB Central Committee Leader Comrade Dr. Dibalok Singh, Small Ethnic Group Director Giti Kabi Sujan Hajong, Dugarpur Press Club Family, Path Pathagar Family, Bangladesh Hajong.

Various social and cultural organizations, including students' organization, CPB Netrakona district and Dugarpur upazila committee have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family. His funeral will be completed at the local Swashmanghat on Sunday morning.