During 1954, Monsieur Maddimsetti fled from Yanam to join pro-merger group, which brought anger in its people that led to pillage of his home.

The 78-year-old, Acting Mayor Monsieur Samatam collapsed mortally wounded, but even as he was dying he did not stop shouting Vive la France.

It was declared that Monsieur Samatam was killed by shots fired by the Indian Military which brought tears to many people in Yanam.

A popular view[citation needed] is that it was only personal interests that drove the leaders to help in the merger of Yanam rather than that of the cause of Indian nationalism.

The French Government identified him as a patriot of France with Citation à l’Ordre de la Nation on 19 November 1954.