In a departure from past years, Manipur marked the 127th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with subdued celebrations at the INA martyrs memorial complex in Moirang town. The ongoing conflict in Manipur, persisting for over eight months, led to the decision to scale down the observance on January 23.
Low-key Observance Amid Conflict
During World War II, Colonel Shaukat Hayat Malik unfurled the INA flag at Moirang on April 14, 1944, designating the area as the INA headquarters. This served as a strategic planning hub for Japanese soldiers and their allies fighting against the Allied forces.
L Sadhana Devi, curator of the INA War Museum, explained that the anniversary was observed in a low-key manner. The program included a floral tribute to Netaji’s statue by locals, especially members of the local INA advisory committee. The decision to keep the celebrations simple was influenced by the current conflict situation in the region.
