INA in the story of an incomplete diary
- Part 2 -

Makhomani Mongsaba *

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

(Translated by Aheibam Anita & Aheibam Koireng Singh for incorporating as chapter in our forthcoming book on "Manipur And Second World War")

The story told by Irengbam Bheigya, his aged younger brother lovingly told me again... that day his face reflected contentment, for the Japanese soldiers, long after the war, had come so far to that place where their fellow solders gave up their lives, in their remembrance. They felt it wrong to kill and eat the cattle and satisfy their hunger and save some of their lives, this Irengbam village, they cherished and to come back after fifty years and meet again and asking the price of the animal they had eaten, all these was so satisfying.

The departed elder who then was with the Gods must too be satisfied. All grudges neutralized and cleansed. Through not related, but still, he said it felt like as if they were brothers of some previous birth and related by blood. This story makes me do more thinking. The incident is a mall story of Irengbam village during the war.

Stories of Second World War in Imphal did not end with this one. There were some untold stories in some places of Manipur. My curiosity grew and my search for stories of war time incidents did not stop. I became more involved in the works of Indo-Japan Friendship Association. That was the time when the Association was very active.

One important functionary was our Japanese language teacher Phurailatpam Nandakumar Sharma. In his tenure as the Secretary, a lot of works were carried out. Because of him I also could learn much that I always wanted. He was the one who greatly encouraged me. The thought of making a film about the incidents in Manipur during the war for posterity came to my mind. For this, discussing with him I worked further.

Oja Nandakumar introduced me to Oja Makino of Manipur University. Oja Makino, then did many writings about the war. Oja Nandakumar gave the news of some other war veterans visiting in the next year. Also the news that Japanese war veterans has lined up to visit the state every year. Unfortunately the number of days of their stay in Manipur was very less and also very few places were permitted to visit.

The time they would come is winter. There were efforts by Oja Nandakumar regarding Inner Line Permit to extend their time of stay a little more.

A Related Small Story:

For a PhD research work on folklore of Langathel, I often used to visit the renowned artist 'Langathel Thoinu' who was famous for folk songs and the Moirangsai style of singing. Ema Langathel Thoinu and me, we knew each other from earlier times. Visiting her often I met her husband 'Pabung'(Father) Yumnam Budhamani whenever I visited her house, often Pabung Budhamani, sitting in the corner of the frontal verendah used to write something in a note-book.

I asked Ema if Pabung writes down all the lyrics of her song, I often saw Pabung writing I said. Ema was a little annoyed and replied 'not at all, I don't know what your pabung is writing'. When I asked Pabung what he was writing to my utter surprise, he said 'war dairy'. "War Dairy" I was shocked. In the household of a soft artist someone is writing of tough things like war. It was unimaginable for me.

Being a person curious and interested about the war, these words drew my attention. I changed my seat. I took the 'mora' (sitting tool indigenously made) near Pabung and sat near him. I asked which parts of the war was his dairy about. Pabung's face was a smiling one by nature. The lowered face raised up and with a serious look said, "It's about the second world war in Manipur.

My diary is almost done but something is amiss so cannot call it complete". I further asked him if I might know what it was. Looking at the Tulsi plant in the courtyard, he said. An article in the local dairy stating that 'Netaji Subashchandra had come and hoisted the flag of INA at Moirang' is not allowing me to complete my diary.

This truth can only be trusted if a friend I once had would say it, but I don't know his whereabouts and that is missing link. I could not take this matter lightly. I asked him who this friend was, and which story was it.

He did not look at me but was intensely gazing at the courtyard. You all won't know, I once has a friend, a Meitei Pangal. He knows the true story about the INA. Other than him, I could believe nobody about the INA flag-hoisting at Moirang. Not knowing if the person to speak on INA is still alive or dead, I still am keeping this part of my dairy incomplete. I have a lot of discontentment. Hearing this I asked him again, who the Meitei Pangal was. What his name was. He calmly replied, 'I call him Choudhury'. His full name is Nake Ahmed Choudhury'.

I believe God is there. I suddenly recalled the Meitei-Pangal I met along with the Japanese war veterans. Turning his face towards me from the intense gaze at the Courtyard asked me. "How do you know him? I then told him everything about my meeting with the Japanese war veterans. Hearing this I saw a bright smile on his face. "Do you know his house, where did you meet him? Let's go" he said.

I knew the house and we got ready and went. A Friend, Pabung and me, we three came to Nake Ahmed Choudhury's house at Wangkhei Yonglan Lane in Thambalkhong Khetrigao. A slight horizontally structured house, there, a small wooden table and a chair was placed in the verendah. The compound was not a big one. With me in the front we walked in and I called out Pabung Nake. A woman come out and made us sit in the verendah.

Pabung Nake and me knew each other. I had often come to give him the hearing aid. That's how I knew. We never sat down and talked properly. I also did not bother to. That day I was much interested. Pabung Budha and him looked at each other intensely the way one does to people they knew earlier and I watched them without even blinking. Pabung Budha was the one to begin, "Choudhury Saheb .... remember me?"

Like meeting long lost family members they hugged each other tightly, both sides of the neck touching the others. Like Muslim on the day of Eid hugging their friends touching each other necks, there in front of my eyes in Pabung Nakes's verandah these two aged old friends affectionately hugged each other.

They must have felt the relationship between them when they met. I did not feel that since I did not knew them much. Pabung Budha spoke bluntly, he began, "Choudhury Saheb we met at Moirang one day, then Choudhury was caught after that 'where were you taken?'.

Pabung Budha's question was one that took me by surprise. The one to answer, Pabung Nake held his ear tightly and in a low voice said, "I cannot hear what you are saying". Pabung went closer and repeated the same words. Pabung Nake turned his face away and said, "I don't know what you are talking about, No body caught me" Pabung Budha's face darkened and Pabung Nake turned his face away.

Pabung Budha's blunt start with unpleasant things like arrest must have marred the re-union between the two long lost friends. Pabung Nake started avoiding the talk and diverted away. The words would not have mattered had it been between people who knew one another closely. I came in between them requesting not to get angry.

"Pabung Budha kept remembering Pabung Nake very often" I said "I was the one to tell him Pabung Nake is still alive and knew his house and thus brought him". I took out the biscuit and gave Pabung Nake called out to make tea. Pabung Budha further said this son of mine (me, Makhonmani myself) is also studying about the second War War in Manipur. I am also writing a diary of what happened in Manipur.

My diary is complete, but for one thing if I did not hear it from you cannot be true and have kept it blank. For that I have kept my diary incomplete. I was very happy to hear that you are still alive. Choudhury must give the true answer otherwise the history of the Second World War in Manipur would go the incorrect way.

Who hoisted the INA flag at Moirang? Didn't Choudhury hoist the flag? Did Netaji come to Manipur? Please give me the true answers clearly.


To be conitnued ....