Calls for declaration of Nagas who fought under Subash Chandra Bose as freedom fighters Ruzazho villagers sheltered ‘Netaji’ and his followers for almost a week in May 1944
Dimapur, Mar. 1: In May 1944, members of the then Indian National Army led by their firebrand leader ‘Netaji’ Subash Chandra Bose arrived at the village of Ruzazho in Phek district, after entering India from Burma.
Bose and his followers are said to have stayed in the village for about a week. According to Dr Er Vekho Swuro, who have written a book on it, Bose appointed one Poswuyi Swuro as the dobashi of the area and eight gaonburas to administer Ruzazho village and its areas.
During his stay, Bose is said to have asked the villagers to contribute food items to the INA team, and personal services like scouting and guiding the troops in their fight against the British. According to Swuro, Bose had received spontaneous support from the villagers.
Of late there have been attempts to persuade the government of India to declare Ruzazho as a ‘National Heritage Village’. On Wednesday the campaign received an endorsement from the governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya.
According to a Raj Bhavan press release, Dr Er Vekho Swuro, who is also the chairman of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Memorial Development Society (NSCBDS) Nagaland, and his team met the governor on Wednesday at Raj Bhavan.They appealed the governor ‘for recognition of Ruzazho village in Phek district as a National Heritage Village’, according to the statement. Acharya was reported as saying that a ‘proper befitting’ memorial should be held for the Naga people and Bose who fought under INA in Nagaland.
“He also stated that Ruzhazho village should be declared as a Heritage Village by the central government since Subhash Chandra Bose came to this village during freedom struggle and the villagers contributed food items and scouts for guiding INA at different places,” the statement read.
The governor was also stated to have said that those Nagas who fought under the INA should be declared as freedom fighters, and given financial benefits.
“The governor said he will approach the minister Javadekar (Union minister of Human Resource Development) and brief him about the urgent necessity to recognise Naga freedom fighters under INA and assured felicitation for those fighters who are still alive and also for the children of people who died fighting for India’s freedom.
“I bow my head to Poswuyi Swuro, 97 years old, who contributed immensely as a dobashi to administer Ruzhazho during Netaji’s visit, he said. The governor further mentioned that about five years ago, the central government released some funds to Tsiesezou village where Netaji last came, Acharya added he’ll make sure that the fund goes for the right purpose,” the Raj Bhavan statement read.
Swuro was accompanied by secretary of NSCBDS, Dupoyi Nyekha and advisor of NSCBDS Phek district, Kuvehu Soho.
