Azad Hind Fauz and the advanced INA Headquarters, Moirang
- Part 1 -

Mairembam Prithviraj Singh *

Indian National Army (INA) museum at Moirang :: June 2011

We all know that while the freedom of India was attained through an extended, composite, and multi-pronged struggle, the INA movement led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was a key component that eventually compelled the British to leave India.

Even in death, the courage of Netaji inspired all the Indians to resist and challenge the authority of the British. The original Advanced Headquarters of the INA still exists in splendor at Moirang Konjengbam Leikai and has finally become a tourist site of International significance which it always deserved to be.

It was from this place where the INA and Japanese forces mobilised to attack the British position of the 17th British Column at Bishnupur in its attempt to capture Imphal, the capital of Manipur, which was crucial for the 'Delhi Chalo' mission. Once Imphal is liberated, Netaji could install an effective 'Provisional Government of Free India' on Indian soil, which should offer an opportunity for more and more Indians to organise an anti-British revolt.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was convinced that freedom is not to be begged for but to be won. To achieve this end, he escaped from his house arrest in disguise and reached Berlin on 3rd April 1941. Except for indirect support, the meeting with Adolf Hitler wasn't fruitful, so Netaji considered shifting all his plans toward South-East Asia. Subhas Chandra Bose organised the Indian Legion in Germany with 8000 British Indian soldiers who became POWs in Egypt. The slogans "Give me blood, I will get you freedom" and "Challo Delhi" was raised from Azad Hind Radio, Germany on 9th August 1942.

Singapore fell into the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army on 15th February 1942. The sixty thousand troops of Allied Forces (comprising 32,000 Indian armies, 15,000 British Armies, and 13,000 Australian armies) led by a British officer, Colonel Hunt had to beg for unconditional surrender at the Ferrar Park Stadium, Singapore on 17th February.

Major General Fujiwara of the Japanese Imperial Army classified thirty-two thousand Indian prisoners of war and established the Indian National Army (INA). He appointed Captain Mohon Singh as General Officer in Commanding (GOC) of the new formation. This was a strategic movement of Japanese forces in the warfare sense of Emperor Hirohito which was "Asia for Asians only". From Germany, Netaji then undertook a perilous underwater journey for 90 (ninety) days to reach Sumatra and arrived at Tokyo by air via Penang and Manila on the 6th of May, 1943.

He met the Japanese Prime Minister Tojo twice and with his energetic enthusiasm secured the unscented support of the Japanese Government for the movement to free India at any cost. Subhas Chandra Bose arrived in Singapore on 2nd July 1943. There, he took charge as the Supreme Commander of the INA as well as the Indian Independence League (IIL) formed by Rash Behari Bose. Then he reorganized the "Azad Hind Fauj" and declared the formation of the 'Provisional Government of Azad Hind' at Cathey Cinema Hall, Singapore on 21st October, 1943. On 23rd October 1943, the Azad Hind Government declared war against Britain and USA.

In March 1944, the three Japanese forces of the 33rd, 31st, and 15th divisions along with INA Subhas Brigade had crossed big rivers, mountainous ranges, and dense jungles and started to invade Manipur Valley. The 31st Japanese Division along with a regiment of INA captured Kohima, with the exception of Tennis Court, Dimapur Road. Thus, the only lifeline of Manipur was blocked for about one month and all essential commodities for Allied forces at Imphal had to be supplied by air.

The 15th Japanese Division of Lt. General Yamaguchi marched towards Tamu and Ukhrul in two ways and Ukhrul was captured. They further advanced toward Imphal Dimapur road to cut Imphal-Kohima road at Kanglatombi. Then, the 1st INA Division, under the command of Major General M.Z. Kiani also joined the Imphal campaign and fought along with the Yamamoto force in the Pallel sector.

Simultaneously, the 31st Japanese Division (MATSURI) commanded by Lt. General Sato advanced to Kohima through Homalin (North Burma) and Ukhrul. Meanwhile, Major General Shah Nawaz Khan's 2nd INA Division could reach Ukhrul to help Sato. By 7th March 1944, the 33rd Japanese force of Lt. General Yanagida (YUMI) with one INA regiment marched towards Tiddim Road.

The Front of the combined forces of 33rd Japanese Divisions and Bahadur Intelligence Group of INA moved towards Tiddim Road by attacking the British Defence Base of 17th British Columns of Yaiyok (Zezo) at Thingaiphai, Churachandpur. The British were forced to retreat and took defensive measures at Phougak-chao-ikhai, Tronglaobi and Okshongbung.

The attack on Moirang commenced with canon fire by the Indo-Japanese forces from southern hills range called Khoingoujeng Hill towards Moirang on the evening of 13th April 1944, and a fierce encounter took place between the British and Japanese soldiers at Phougak-chao-ikhai and Tronglaobi. A large column of British forces had to retreat towards Laiga Stream and Chengei (Moirang).

Most people of Moirang had already evacuated, and taken refuge at the chain islands of Thanga, Ithing, Sendra, Omba, Mamang Ching, Khongjaingamba and Keibul hillocks within the Loktak lake. Moirang town had become a battlefield. The precautionary measures for the safety of the people of Moirang were volunteered by the local youths led by Shri Mairembam Koireng Singh.

The infantry attack was led by Lieutenant Endo from Torbung, Terakhongshangbi, and Tronglaobi and another attack was led by Captain Ito of Japanese forces from Kumbi, Thoya. The British had to retreat towards Phubala by abandoning all arms, cannons, and artillery at Okshongbung. All these were keenly observed over a whole sleepless night by some local youths including M. Koireng Singh while hiding under the Moirang Lamkhai bridge.

The area of Moirang was totally cleared and swept away of all enemies up to Potshangbam by the Japanese and INA forces by the night of 13th April 1944. The retreating British forces took advantage of the darkness of night and secured a firm position of camping for the defensive line at the hillocks of Bishnupur.

Eventually, Kumam Kanglen Singh of Moirang had the chance to meet the INA military officials Colonel Shaukat Hayat Ali Malik and Naki Ahmad Choudhuri (a Manipuri Muslim, born in Keikhu Muslim village) at Tronglaobi. The INA officials asked for a meeting with Mairembam Koireng Singh, the local leader of Moirang and an active member of Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha. So, the four persons namely Mairembam Koireng Singh, Kumam Kanglen Singh, Meinam Mani Singh, and Laiphrakpam Sanaba met with the INA officers in the morning at Tronglaobi.

The INA officers persuaded the local leaders to affix an appropriate place for hoisting the tri-colour flag at Moirang. Under the guidance of M. Koireng Singh, Col. Shaukat Hayat Ali Malik, Commander of the Bahadur Intelligence Group of the INA hoisted the Tricolour Flag with the springing tiger as emblem at the historic Moirang Kangla on the evening of 14th April 1944, in the presence of around forty locals, Captain Ito of the 33rd Mountain Gun Regiment of Japan, Naki Ahmad Chouduri and many Japanese and INA soldiers, to mark the unique liberation of Moirang from the clutches of the British colonial rule.

The reason why the Moirang Kangla was chosen by Shri M. Koireng Singh and his team was that the Kangla is a sacred place and the seat of power, where coronations of the ancient kings were held. This day, the 14th of April, 1944 shall be remembered in the history of the freedom struggle of India as the Day of Revolutionary Declaration of Freedom of United India.

The flag unfurled at Moirang, Manipur symbolized the united aspirations of the united people of India from Imphal to Peshawar and Kashmir to Kanyakumari. This is the uniqueness and significance of the liberation of Moirang. Hemam Thambaljao Singh, father of Hemam Nilamani Singh, provided his residential house with tin roofing at Moirang Konjengbam Leikai for setting up the Headquarters for the Indo-Japanese forces.

It was thus the first and only Advanced Headquarters of the INA on a liberated soil of India. Col. Shaukat Ali Malik and his officers worked from this Headquarters for three months. It was from this place where the INA and Japanese forces mobilised to attack the British position of the 17th British Column at Bishnupur in its attempt to capture Imphal, the capital of Manipur.

Hemam Nilamani Singh, Mairembam Koireng Singh, and Kumam Kanglen Singh apart from providing whatever was available in their possession, led the mobilisation of voluntary donations of rice, dry fish, and other grains from the local people for the ration of Indo-Japanese forces who stayed at INA Headquarters, Moirang, and its adjoining areas like Phubala, Sunusiphai, etc. They provided the food grains and other edible items by head-carrying, buffalo sleighs, horses, bullock carts, or whatever means available.

To be continued...