The waves of the Quit India Movement of 1942 resonated throughout India, including the heart of Bengal and had a profound impact on the entire Midnapore district. The "Bidyut Bahini," a group of women activists, was established under the leadership of Sushil Kumar Dhara with the aim of establishing the "Tamralipta Jatiyo Sarkar." It's worth noting that the "Tamralipta Jatiyo Sarkar" was founded on 17 December 1942.
In September 1942, a mill owner in Danipur village near Mahisadal attempted to transport paddy and rice from his warehouse. Upon hearing this news, villagers gathered to protest and the British police responded by opening fire, resulting in the tragic death of three villagers on the spot. This incident quickly spread, deeply impacting the people of Medinipur. Telegraph and telephone lines were clandestinely dismantled, roads and culverts were destroyed, isolating Medinipur from the rest of the country. Simultaneously, preparations for establishing police stations in various parts of the Midnapore district were underway, with each station having a designated female leader. Rajalakshmi Singha was appointed for the Tamluk police station.
Meanwhile, Kadambini Maiti took on the responsibility of providing food, shelter and other assistance to the agitators. However, the police soon discovered this secret agitation and moved in to suppress it. The women's forces marched on the Tamluk police station armed with sickles, knives, vegetable cutters, sticks, and bamboo. This brave action took place on 29 September 1942, resulting in numerous injuries among the women.
The English police not only subjected the women to physical oppression but also committed heinous acts such as rape against many widows, patients and even pregnant women, with a total of 76 women falling victim to this brutality. Detainees were also subjected to sexual assault. British military personnel entered different villages, where they raped and tortured women.
Nevertheless, these oppressed women did not face social disgrace because they endured torture for the sake of their country's independence. The British atrocities persisted until January 1943. During the protest in front of the Tamluk police station, the name of one renowned agitator, Matangini Hazra, a 73-year-old woman, became etched in history when she was fatally shot by British police while fighting for independence. Her sacrifice is revered as a golden chapter in the annals of history.