The tribals of Koraput have been a dominant group and known for their care free life style. The British Government , out to curb their freedom was bravely repulsed. The National Movement under the leadership of Mahatme Gandhi was gaining momentum . Under the direction local Congress leader, the adivasis of undivided Koraput district joined the movement and suffered imprisonment. Gandhiji called for Quit India Movement in August, 1942 which found its echo in Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri regions. A tribal leader of Tentuligumma in Malkangiri Sub Division was falsely implicated in a murder case when he was leading a non-violence procession. He was Laxman Nayak , a dreaded revolutionary of the time. No fair trial was given to him and was hanged in Berhampur central jail on 29 th August ,1943.

The tribals of Nabarangpur sub division gathered on 24 August ,1942 to discuss the future course of action on their was to Dabugam. The big crowd was intercepted at a river bridge near Papadahandi . The crowd could not escape the unprovoked lathicharge and firing of the police .Many jumped into the flooded river . As a result 19 persons were killed , many were put on under arrest . The Koraput Jail began to be swelled by prisoners and had to be accommodated there in a space larger than three to four times of its capacity . The unhygeneic condition of the jail and other harassment by officials took a toll of many patriots. The days of independence struggle saw the new emergence of leaders , R.K. Biswasray , R.K.Sahu and Sadasiv Tripathy the last belonging to Nabarangpur town who went on to become the Chief Minister of Orissa . Only one freedom fighter Md. Bazi Saheb ( Sarvodaya and Bhoodan leader) of Nabarangpur district is still alive today to recall the saga of freedom struggle participated by him as well as of the many unsung heroes.