January 14th 2025.
On a pleasant Tuesday afternoon at the Bhubaneswar airport, members of the Loktantra Senani organization gathered to welcome Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, upon his return from Delhi. The reason for this warm reception was the recent decision made by the state government to provide pension and other benefits to individuals who were detained during the 1975 Emergency. The members of the organization were full of praise for the BJP-led government and CM Majhi for taking this significant step.
One of the Loktantra Senani members expressed their gratitude towards the government and stated that after 50 years, their sacrifices were finally being acknowledged. The Emergency period, imposed by the Congress-led Indira Gandhi government, was a difficult time for the country. People were detained, tortured, and oppressed, and democracy was under attack. The students, led by Jayprakash Narayan, held protests all over the country. In Odisha, the members of Loktantra Senani were also jailed as students for raising their voices against the dictatorial regime.
Another member of the organization mentioned that despite numerous reminders, the previous Biju Janata Dal government failed to address their issues during their 24-year rule. However, now they were grateful to the BJP government for finally recognizing their contributions. The decision made by the Odisha Home Department to provide pensions and free medical treatment to those detained during the Emergency period was a ray of hope for the members of Loktantra Senani.
The notification issued by the Home Department stated that after careful consideration, the state government had decided to provide pensions and other benefits to individuals who were detained in Odisha's jails between 1975 and 1977 under MISA, DIR, or DISIR. The detainees would be provided with a monthly pension of Rs 20,000, regardless of the duration of their detention. They would also receive free medical treatment. The District Collectors in Odisha had been instructed to prepare a list of all the individuals who were detained during the Emergency period under different draconian laws.
This decision by the government was a huge relief for the members of Loktantra Senani, and they were grateful to finally receive recognition for their sacrifices. The eligible beneficiaries would be provided with pensions after the district-level and state-level committees scrutinized the list prepared by the District Collectors. The members of the organization were hopeful that this step taken by the BJP-led government would bring justice to all those who suffered during the Emergency period and help them lead a better life.
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