Conflict dampens Netaji tribute event
Source: Chronicle News Service / Waari Singbul Network
Imphal, January 24 2024:
The state government, unlike the past years, observed the 127th birth anniversary of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose at the Indian National Army (INA) Martyrs Memorial Complex in Moirang town in Bishupur district in a subdued fashion on Tuesday, owing to the unceasing conflict besetting Manipur for the past over eight months.
In the height of World War II, the INA/Azad Hind Fauz flag was unfurled on April 14, 1944 for the first time at Moirang by Colonel Saukat Hayat Malik, commander of Bahadur Group before designating the area as its headquarters.
From this headquarters, top commanders of Japanese soldiers and their allies chalked out war tactics and operated to fight against the Allied forces.
L Sadhana Devi, curator of INA War Museum, a unit under Manipur art and culture department, said: "As advised by our seniors, we observed the programme in low key because of the conflict, with offering floral tributes to the statue of Netaji by locals of Moirang, particularly members of the local INA Advisory Committee".
A leader of committee also stated that because of the volatile situation the anniversary celebrations was held in a very simple way.
Moirang residents, last year, demanded that the tag of "war criminal" labelled against Netaji Subash by the United Nations and Commonwealth of Nations should be withdrawn.