The Matangini Statue situated near Talmuk jail is a place of great historical importance, worth visiting by every tourist on a trip to Haldia. The statue of this great freedom fighter inspires every Indian to have selfless love and dedication for one's country.
This great freedom fighter played an important role in the Indian freedom movement. In 1942, as a part of Quit India movement, the Congress party members decided to take control of the police stations and government offices in Midnapore in a bid to overthrow the British government. Matangini Hazra, then 73 years old, also known as Gandhi buri(Bengali for old Gandhi lady) led a procession of thousands of supporters, mostly women, to take over Talmuk police station. When they reached close to the police station, they were ordered to leave or else face gunshots by the police officers. But Matangini kept on moving and chanting Vande Mataram. Consequently she was shot several times and she fell down. She died with the flag of our country held high. This great freedom fighter has thus become one of the great martyrs of our motherland.
