SHILLONG: The Greater Shillong Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Birth Celebration Committee (GSCNSCBBCC) and others paid tribute to freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose on the occasion of his 121st birthday celebration on Tuesday.
Held in the early morning hours, people gathered in front of the life-sized statue of Bose at State Central Library premises in which leaders of the committee demanded the Central government to unravel the mystery behind the death of Bose.
Speakers on the occasion included the president of the committee, Naba Bhattarcharjee, UDP members, Bindo Lanong, Paul Lyngdoh and former MLA Manas Chaudhuri recalled the love Bose had for the people from North-East.
Bhattarcharjee said, “People may differ but Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister of Indian dominion under the British rule. But Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was the first Prime Minister or President of India because in 1944, he hoisted the national flag.”
He added that the Indian government has not been able to reveal the truth of his disappearance.
“There are movements going on. Even till today, in Guwahati, there is a meeting where the nephew of Bose and General GD Bakshi and others are attending the meeting. Such meetings will be held to pressurise the government to reveal and declassify what has not been done till date,” Bhattarcharjee said.
UDP member Bindo Lanong stated that Bose was a friend of the Khasi people.
He said, “Bose had said that if people want to see true democracy, they should go to the hills of North East.”
“He was a man who sympathised with the movement led by JJM Nichols Roy to get the Sixth Schedule for the state,” he added.
Meanwhile, the day was also celebrated by BSNL Employees Resident welfare Association at P&T Colony, Oakland, Shillong.