HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, July 4: The Martyrs’ Memorial, erected in 1956 at Margherita Bazaar to honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters, now lies in a state of disrepair and neglect, with rampant encroachment and unsanitary conditions overshadowing its historic significance.
According to an official statement issued by the Margherita Bazaar Committee, the memorial—once a revered site of patriotic pride—has gradually transformed into a symbol of civic apathy. Local traders and shopkeepers have allegedly encroached upon the land surrounding the memorial, using it as an extension of their commercial premises and, in some cases, as a dumping ground.
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“The site is being openly misused,” said Santosh Chetry, president of the Bazaar Committee. “There are tobacco stains, betel nut spit, rampant littering, and even instances of it being used as a public toilet. This is deeply disrespectful to the memory of our martyrs.”
The memorial was constructed by prominent citizens of the region and later enclosed by a boundary wall built by North Eastern Coalfields (Coal India Ltd). However, the wall has since deteriorated, with visible cracks and crumbling sections now offering little protection to the memorial within.
The situation has reportedly worsened over the years, with unauthorised business activity on the premises making it difficult to hold national events such as Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. “The area is so congested and unhygienic that organising any formal function has become nearly impossible,” the committee stated.
Despite repeated appeals to the Margherita Co-District Administration, Margherita Municipal Board, and local MLA Bhaskar Sharma, the issue remains unaddressed. Local residents and civic groups have expressed disappointment over the authorities’ inaction and demanded urgent intervention.
Chetry appealed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take decisive action, drawing parallels to the government’s recent crackdown on illegal beef trade. “We urge the Chief Minister to launch a campaign to reclaim and restore this sacred space,” he said.
Social organisations and residents across Margherita have joined the call for preserving the dignity of the memorial, stressing that the site stands not just as a physical structure, but as a reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight for India’s freedom.
The community continues to demand urgent restoration efforts and stricter enforcement to protect the sanctity of the memorial and ensure that future generations remember the valour and legacy of the martyrs it commemorates.
