Dilapidated freedom fighters’ memorial angers Gorakhpur residents

The dilapidated condition of a freedom fighters’ memorial here, has angered residents even as the nation gets set to observe its 65th Independence Day.

The area around the Doriyah Kala Independence Memorial, erected in the memory of freedom fighters who were killed on August 23, 1942, is in a shoddy condition.

“I had come here to see the memorials, but there is no provision of proper facilities. The parks here are littered with garbage and there are cracks in the memorial. There is no one to take care of the memorial. The memorials, which are a source of inspiration for the country, are in a dilapidated condition. The government has done nothing to improve the situation and this is an insult to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. This has hurt us a lot,” said Mohan, a resident.

The condition of another memorial in Chauri Chaura area of the city is equally filthy. The entrance gateway and the walls of the monument are also damaged and have not been restored.

“There are no facilities here. People trample on plants and destroy it. There is no security guard here, but there is no restoration work happening here,” said Vikas Singh, another resident.

The memorial at Chauri Chaura was built in remembrance of the freedom fighters, who were killed on February 4, 1922.