Kankalta was born on 12 December 1924 in Barangabari, Darang district. His father was Krishnakanta Barua and his mother was Karneshwari Devi. She was a young girl when her mother died. So his grandfather remarried his father. His name was Jonathan. Although she was a grandmother, Jonaki raised Kalkalta as her own daughter. Unfortunately, Kanak’s father also died a few days later. His father, Ghankanta, had to bear the burden of grief for his son and daughter-in-law while he was still alive.
Kankalata, who lost her parents prematurely, could not continue her studies. He had to finish his primary education.
The mass movement of the forties took a terrible turn in the country. Kankalta was 18 years old at the time. The movement also had a profound impact on Assam. Kankalta jumped into the movement to free the motherland from foreign rule. She took the role of the main volunteer in the movement without anyone’s interference.
Kankalata was a very humble girl. Everyone’s beloved Kankalta developed confidence and believed that Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent policies could drive the British out of Indian soil.
Jyoti Prasad Agrawal’s first march of the Quit India Movement in
The scheme started in Darang district. The youths who participated in the procession chanted slogans of abandonment of British India and encouraged everyone to fly the national flag at the police station. Kankalta was very pleased with Jyoti Prasad’s call. Kankalta took permission from her uncle to join the procession. The rally was led by Pushpalata Das.
When Kankalta went to join the march of the movement, she told Pushpalata Das, “Every woman has a sense of patriotism in her heart. They love their country and in return for this love, I will lead the procession towards Gohpur police station with the tricolor flag in my hand.”
Kankalta’s strong initiative encouraged everyone. On 20 September 1942, a large procession marched towards Gohpur police station. There was also a tricolor flag in the hands of the men’s force led by Mukunda Kakati. Kankalta also went with the flag in her hand and was caught by the police when she reached the police station. Kankalta demanded to be let go but the police refused. Kankalta ignored the police and shouted “Vande Mataram” as she walked inside the police station when the officer-in-charge of the police station ordered her to open fire. Kankalata fell to the ground after being shot in the chest. He was shot in the chest when Mukunda Kakati took his flag and raised it. However, the procession continued. A young man from Gohpur named Rampati Rajkhowa lowered the British flag flying at the police station and hoisted the national flag of India. “I understand the value of every piece of land in Assam. No foreigner has the right to exploit the motherland. We are Indians, we are Assamese, we will never tolerate the oppression and exploitation of us.”
This Kankalta will always be immortal among us. The statue of the martyred heroine shines on the banks of the pond in Gohpur and will continue to gain immortality.