Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 20:

Freedom fighter and former Congress legislator from Odisha’s Gondia assembly segment Sribatsa Nayak breathed his last following a prolonged illness. He was 92.

According to sources, Nayak passed away at his residence in Dhenkanal at around 3.30 pm today.

Nayak was elected from the Gondia constituency in Dhenkanal district on a Congress ticket in 1974.

The departed leader had joined Prajamandal movement in 1938, while he was a student, against the excesses of the then king of Dhenkanal. Later, he was imprisoned in Cuttack jail during 1946-47 for participating in the freedom struggle.

Born on November 4, 1924, Nayak worked as the assistant Editor of vernacular newspapers Dainika Asha and Matrubhumi.

He was also associated with Gandhi Peace Foundation Centre, Kishan, Sarbodaya and eradication of untouchability movement. He was also a close political associate of legendary Nandini Satpathy.

This apart, he has also authored several books.