Freedom fighter thrown out of home in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: As the whole country readies to offer tributes to those great men who fought for the independence of the country, negligence and harassment to a freedom fighter by his family members has become the talk of the town in the State.

95-year-old Rajkishore Mohanty who once toiled for the independence of the country is now himself dependent on mercy of others. A resident of Kandalpur village in Kakatpur area of Puri district, Mohanty has leveled serious allegations of negligence from non other than his own son and daughter-in-law.

Mohanty has alleged that his son Anam Prasad Mohanty recently asked him to come with him for a tour of Bhubaneswar and later dropped leaving him alone in the capital city. He further said that they have been giving him physical torture.

But asked whether he would sue his family, Mohanty answered like a fighter. “I have not stooped so low as to lodge a complaint against my son and daughter-in-law for their actions.”

The matter came to light after corporator Amaresh Jena and some other residents spotted a lost Mohanty sitting near Kalpana chhak in the city and discussed with him about his condition. They helped the nonagenarian and made all arrangements for his lodging and fooding at a shelter house.

“After discussing with him, we found that he is still quite aware about the different areas in Bhubaneswar as he used to stay here in the capital city. If he wants to stay here, we will make all necessary arrangements for him,” said the corporator.