WHEN news of Comrade Mohan Prasad’s death reached Bokaro, his friends and comrades were plunged into grief. He was hit by a scooter while returning to the office on his cycle on 22 May 2019. He was in great pain and could not get up, and the doctor after examining him said that the left hip was broken. He was taken to RIMS Ranchi for treatment. The doctors there decided against an operation, keeping his age in mind. Gradually, Comrade Mohan started walking with the help of a walker. One night he had a fall, about which he laughingly told his friends only after a few days. He was walking about as usual, and did not tell anyone that his right side was gradually becoming immobile. Those who knew Comrade Mohan are aware that he had an extraordinarily high level of tolerance to pain. When he was taken to the doctors it became clear that there were blood clots on both sides of the brain and an immediate operation was necessary. He was admitted at once to RIMS, Ranchi. He seemed to be recovering after the operation on 22 November, but suddenly passed away at 2 pm on 28 November due to cardiac arrest.
His body was brought to the Bokaro Party office in the evening of 28 November, where large numbers of Party members and supporters as well as CPI, CPM and SUCI members paid tribute to Comrade Mohan. His friends and comrades accompanied him on his final journey after which his funeral rites were performed.
It will never be possible to fill the void left by the passing away of such a dedicated revolutionary who had started working as a full time Party activist from a young age. Comrade Mohan had come to Bokaro with his elder brother as a daily wage worker six decades ago when the Bokaro Steel Plant was being constructed. His father was a full time CPIML activist. There was a lot of upheaval in Bokaro during the construction phase of the Steel Plant. A lot of repression was committed during the Dugal firing episode in 1969. Comrade Mohan stopped working as a daily wage earner and opened a cycle repair shop for some time, but here also he was restless. He started taking active part in CPIML struggles during that time. His association with CPIML started in 1972 and he never looked back after that. He was firmly dedicated to workers’ struggles and established a good rapport with workers. He spoke and debated with all workers and made new members, but also kept contact with those who did not become members. That is why even today we find his friends in all areas.
Born in 1952 at Chongakhar village in Birni Block, Giridih District, Comrade Mohan’s life is an inspiration to all of us.
Red Salute to Comrade Mohan Prasad!
