Land acquired for expansion of INA memorial: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, April 15 2022: The 78th Anniversary of Flag Hoisting Day was observed at Indian National Army (INA) Martyr's Memorial Complex, Moirang on Thursday with Chief Minister N Biren as chief guest.

The solemn function was organised by Department of Art and Culture to commemorate the day when the Tricolour was first hoisted at Moirang on April 14, 1944 .

Soon after his arrival, CM Biren led the other dignitaries in paying floral tribute to the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and also unfurled the Indian flag installed inside the complex.

Speaking at the function, Bi ren termed the day (April 14) as a historic one for people of the country, adding that it was on this day when Lieutenant Colonel Shaukat Ali of INA hoisted the Tricolour for the first time on the Indian Soil.

The chief minister recounted that in early April of 1944, the Subash Brigade of INA along with 33rd Division of Japanese Army crossed the Indo Burmese Boundary to form the Imphal Front.

On April 14, after capturing Moirang, the combined force reached the house of Hemam Nilamani of Moirang Konjengbam Leikai and set up the first Headquarters of INA in India.

In all, 96 Manipuris took part in the campaign of INA to capture Moirang from the British Army and hoist the Tricolour.

The renaming of Mt Harriet in Andaman and Nicobar to Mt Manipur has helped recall many such memories, he added.

The CM then informed that the state government had al ready acquired the land for construction of new INA Memorial Hall and work for the same has commenced.

Regarding the expansion of INA Headquarters Complex, he said that the existing area is around 0.46 acres along with the house, which was used as INA Headquarters.

The government is in the process of acquiring 2.12 acres of adjoining areas to develop it into a World Class INA Memorial Park, he conveyed.

Biren further informed that a 165 feet tall Indian National Flag, which will be the highest in the Northeast, would be installed at the INA Complex and a pole for the same has already been erected.

Recalling the sense of nationalism possessed by our forefathers, the CM expressed the need for the present generation to pay respect to our forefathers who sacrificed their lives for the motherland and also to have a sense of nationalism like them.

He then expressed gratitude to the members of Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad for visiting the state to attend the Flag Hoisting Day observance.

Delivering his presidential speech, Works minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that Colonel Shaukat Ali hoisted the Tricolour and announced independence from the mighty British.

In addition, former CM (L) M Koireng, (L) Hemam Nilama-ni and other leaders worked closely with INA and played an important role in bringing independence to India.

He further stressed the importance of remembering the freedom fighters, who played key roles in the independence movement, so that our youth could be imbibed with a sense of nationalism.

This will not only help in tracing the steps of our forefathers but also in bringing about development, he stated.

In his speech, Moirang MLA AC Thongam Shanti pointed out the need for special focus on Moirang and rewriting the pages of history regarding the contributions of INA in bringing independence to India.

As part of the observance, cultural programmes namely Dhol-Dholok Cholom and Thang Ta were showcased by different troupes.

Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad president Lt Gen VK Chaturvedi attended the event as guest of honour, along with Water Resources minister Awangbow Newmai, MLAs, CS and other officials.

With the aim of commemorating the day, CM Biren also flagged off 10-year-old Arab Bharatduwaz from Haryana, who would be cycling from Imphal to New Delhi covering a total distance of 2600 km.

Meanwhile, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose 124th Birth Anniversary Celebration All India Committee, Regional Committee North East Zone and Manipur State Committee jointly observed Moirang Day at the auditorium of Youth Hostel, Khuman Lampak on Thursday.

As part of the observance, floral tributes were offered to the portrait of Subhas Chandra Bose.

The observance was attended by All India Committee general secretary Bharati Mukherjee, vice president Prof Ajay Roy; Soil Conservation Department, Nagaland ex-director Sen-jam Nandeshwor; Manipur State Committee president Thounaojam Ngouba; general secretary Dr H Gitajen and dignitaries from other parts of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Committee general secretary Bharati Mukherjee informed that Moirang Day is observed to commemorate the day when the Azad Hind Fauz (INA) was set up along with hoisting of the Tricolour of Free India at Moirang on April 14, 1944.He then said that the people of the country should not forget the contributions of Netaji Subhas in the freedom struggle, and his vision for the country.

Observing that the current generation seem to have forgotten the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters, the general secretary urged for remembering and instilling the exemplary qualities of the freedom fighters so as to stand against the current oppressive powers/groups and bring about peace and prosperity to the people.

In connection with the observance, a motorbike rally, which came from Silchar, Assam visited the INA complex and offered floral tributes to the state of Netaji.

The rally is being participated by delegates from different committees of Assam and Tripura.

Meanwhile, PRO IGAR (S) informed that Loktak Battalion of Assam Rifles organised flag hoisting at the INA museum, Moirang on Thursday to mark the 78th anniversary of flag hoisting day of the Indian National Army (INA).

During the event, military veterans and other dignitaries also paid floral tribute to the statue of Netaji.

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