Ruthless suppression of popular movement
1. On 26th March’ 48 a public meeting of theabibasis was held at Deoghar in Bamra and resolutions demanding the establishment of responsible government in the states were passed and copies of the same were sent to the Central Government and the Govt. of Orissa. Afterwards when no reply came either from the Central Government or from the Provincial Government the adibasis again held a public meeting for the second time at Deoghar and strongly condemned the policy of the Provincial Government and put forward the demand that the State people must have voice in the administration of the States. The Orissa Government disregarded this popular demand and in May’ 48 all leading adibasis of almost all the States were arrested and detained in jail. The adibasis of Bamra in the months of June & July’ 48 repeatedly demanded that all their leaders be forthwith released and they be given representation in the government. As a consequence the administrator of Bamra made an announcement that their demand would be considered on 25 Jnly’ 48 The simple ignorant adibasis readily believed this and on 25th July’ 48 they went to Deoghar in large numbers to know about the fate of their beloved leaders. When the adibasi mass approached the administor’s residence on the following day they were directed to go to the Circuit House situated in a lonely place inside the jungle where the most loyal and notable Rai Bahadur Durga Charan Das the District Magistrate and administrator was halting. This District Magistrate had stationed an armed force near the Circuit House. As soon as the adibasis entered the jungle the armed force under the order of the heartless District Magistrate opened fire on the innocent and unarmed adibasis. As a result of which Five adibasis were killed and fifteen wounded including men, women and children. Afterwards the force looted the adibasis in the moffusil villages.