Comrade Hirendra Nath Chatterjee passed away on 23rd May, 2015 at Ranchi. He was 96 years old. He is survived by three sons and one daughter.
Comrade Hirendra Nath or ‘Meshomoshai’ as he was known among friends and comrades, played a very important role in the re-organisation of the CPI(ML) in the 1970s. Durgapur was a major centre of this re-organisation between 1972-77, after much of the first generation leadership and cadres of the party had been martyred or incarcerated in jail.
Comrade Hirendra Nath was a civil engineer who used to work in various construction companies including British Enterprises. He shifted to Durgapur Steel Township to run a small business. When his second son Comrade Prasun became a whole time party worker on the rural front, he too decided to be more active in the party. His home was one of the most reliable shelters for the party, where leaders including Comrade VM, DP Buxi, Kartick Pal and many others used to take shelter. He and his wife Comrade Bela Chatterjee incurred considerable risk to themselves and their family in thus providing shelter to revolutionaries of an underground party. Their entire family would stand vigil on rooftop and balcony when comrades were sheltering in their home.
After 1977, Meshomoshai became active in the Indo-China Friendship Society, the Kotnis Committee and other such mass activities. Eventually he and Comrade Bela shifted to Ranchi.
He and Comrade Bela will always be remembered for their commitment to the party and their willingness to put their home at the disposal of the party, even at great personal risk.
Red salute to Comrade Hirendra Nath Chatterjee!
