Balasore (Orissa), Feb 26 (IANS) Freedom fighter and communist leader Banamali Das Monday died of cancer at his home in Kadamsahi village in Orissa's Balasore district, his family said. He was 90.
Das is survived by his widow, two sons and four daughters. Born on Aug 27, 1918, he was imprisoned for 13 years during the British rule for participating in India's freedom struggle.
He was elected to the Orissa State Assembly three times - in 1967, 1971 and 1974. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader was the hero during the merger of Nilagiri Gadjat, an independent state, with the Indian Union on Nov 14, 1947.
"He was the first to start the Gadjat merger movement. He had mobilised thousands to fight against the princely rulers. He was the leader of the farmers and downtrodden people," said state Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Jayant Das.
"Orissa has lost one of its sons of the soil. The demise of Banamali Babu is a great loss for Orissa," state CPI-M secretary Janardan Pati told IANS.
People from different sections of society flocked to Das' residence after hearing of his death.