Profiles- Heroic Roles Of Naki Ahmad Choudhury

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In the freedom struggle of India
Heroic Roles Of Naki Ahmad Choudhury
By Kayamuddin Pukhrimayum
23rd January, 1997 has been observed all over India as the 'Birthday Centenary Celebration' of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (23.1.1897-18.8.1945) one of the World's remarkable revolutionaries India has ever produced and Commander-in- chief of Azad Hind Fauz and Head of State (Prime Minister) of Provisional Government of Azad Hind. As a part of the celebration, the heroic role played by one Naki Ahmad Choudhury an ex-Captain, INA (India National Army), popularly known as Japan Pitru who had been associated with the Azad Hind Fauz since its inception and died at the age of 82 years on 9th December, 1996 is described in shorts. During the life time of the deceased freedom fighter, the author himself had the opportunity to frequently meet him since 1985. This written statement is based on the recordings of the direct conversation between the author and Naki Ahmad Choudhury on 24th Nov. 1985. Naki Ahmad Choudhury was born at Keikhu Muslim Village, Imphal East district, Manipur on Friday, the 25th December, 1914. His father's name was Alhaj Maulvi Amirullah and mother's - Hazibi Khadiza alias Haotombi Bibi. Of the five brothers he was the 4th. His eldest brother, Waliullah became a Darbar member of Manipur State Darbar during the 2nd World War. His third brother, Fazlur Rahman alias Kabul Shaheb also was in Army engineering Service holding high rank. Naki Ahmad Choudhury passed the Matriculation Exam in 1st Divn under the Calcutta varsity in the year 1938, but he could not continue further studies as there was no college in Manipur at the time. He then joined the earliest political organization of Manipur 'Nikhil Manipur Mahasabha' as a volunteer. He worked very hard during the 'Nupi Lan' (Meitei Women's revolt against the ruling British) on 12th Dec. 1939 under the leadership of Aloha Mv. Rahimmuddin Shabeb, a member of the Nikhil Manipur Mahasabha from Thoubal district, Manipur and Mv Hussain Ali Shaheb a member of the Mahasabha from Keikhu Village, Imphal East. Since there were no earning avenues in Manipur he left for Jorhat in Assam in the year 1941 and joined the British Indian Army. He was sent for 6-months' army training at a large training center at Ferozepore, Punjab. He did his best in all discipline of the training and was, therefore, declared '1st Class First' in the result. He was then selected for another training course for promotion to the post of King Commission Officer. In the meantime there was an indication that Japan would attack Singapore. To face the Japanese army, the British Government immediately sent an Army Brigade from Bombay to Singapore on 16th Sept. 1941. Naki Ahmad Choudhury was also included in the brigade as a Checker for the 6th Infantry Transport Company. The Army brigade reached Singapore in October, 1941. He was assigned the duty of a Checker of the Army Supply Depot of the British Army Brigade at Kotah Baru situated at the Thai-Malay-Border. Shortly, Japan declared war against the British on 8th Dec. 1941 and captured the Coastal areas of Kotah Baru where the British Army Brigade was stationed. Being victorious in successive battles against the British, the British Indian Army surrendered Singapore to Japanese army without any condition on 15th Feb. 1942. To mark the end of war, a war pact was signed at a large meeting between the British Indian Army (who became Prisoners of War in the hands of Japanese Army) led by Lt Col Hunt and Japanese Army led by Maj. Fuziwara from Japanese Army at Ferar Park of Singapore on 16th Feb. 1942. Consequently, all the British Indian Army was handed over to the Japanese army. In the said meeting under the leadership of some leaders of Indian Independence League (IIL) and Captain Mohan Singh of British Indian Army in collaboration with Maj. Fuziwara of Japanese army with the full-co-operation and help from the Japanese Government formed the Azad Hind Fauz (Indian National Army) with the primary objective of freedom for India. Capt. Mohan Singh was made GOC for it. Naki Ahmad Choudhury, Checker 6-IBT was also present on the Foundation Day of the Azad Hind Fauz. Many freedom fighters who had waged war against the British for the independence of India remain underground members in many parts of Eastern Asia waiting for an opportune time to fight against the British. Among the freedom fighters – Rash Behari Bose, Baba Amar Singh, Baba Usman Khan can be cited. When the Japanese declared war against the Allied Forces, the hitherto underground freedom fighters came out openly and formed the Indian Independence League (IIL), in order to prepare strategy for freedom struggle. It got many help from the Japanese Government. Thus GOC Mohan Singh could hasten the progress of the formation of the Azad Hind Fauz through the wise plan and policy of the ILL. After a careful consultation among the top- level officers of Azad Hind Fauz, army brigades were formed. They were Gandhi Brigade, Nehru Brigade, Azad Brigade, Hind Field Force and other departments like Bahadur Group, Intelligence Group, Propaganda and Publicity Department, Me-dical Department which give training to them. One day GOC Mohan Singh visited to the camp where Naki Ahmad Choudhury was posted and examined the characters and antecedents and particularly his activities and achievements. Mohan Singh was greatly impressed with his findings and as a result, NA Choudhury was appointed for intelligence training. Soon after the completion of the training course, he was made ready to be sent to Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) as an advance party. In the meantime following some differences between Mohan Singh and the Japanese Government, GOC Mohan Singh was arrested by the Japanese Govt. on 29th Dec. 1942. The plan for sending an advance party to Myanmar remained in cold storage. For some time INA remained dormant, but with the unstinted efforts made by Rash Behari Bose, INA regained its lost vigor. One remarkable event in the history of India is in the year 1939 where following differences of opinion between Netaji and MK Gandhi with other top leaders, Netaji who was then Congress President for the second term had to resign from the Presidentship of the Indian National Congress and then formed the Forward Block. He then mobilized public opinion for freedom movement in Bengal and other parts of the country. In 1939 II World War broke out. Netaji and other Congress leaders were put behind the bars. Netaji launched fast unto death agitation in jail against the British. He was later released from jail and put under house arrest. He then escaped India under disguise and finally reached Berlin via Kabul and Moscow on 3rd April, 1941. He met Hitler there and sought his help. He made a strong effort to float a National Army called ‘Indian Legion’ at Germany in September 1941. But it could not meet with success. On the other hand, in eastern Asia, Netaji Sub has Chandra Bose was considered competent to lead the INA. So, he was invited by Rash Behari Bose and Japanese Government for the purpose. Thinking that the struggle could be successful only when it is attacked from the direction of South East Asia, Netaji made his journey through the seas with the help of the Government of Japan and Moscow. After about three months' voyage, Netaji reached Penang. From there he flew to Tokyo on 16th May, 1943. He met the Japanese Prime Minister Gen. Tojo and reached an agreement with him for help and finally landed at Singapore. In no time Rash Behari Bose entrusted the over-all in-charge of the IIL and INA with Netaji in a meeting held at Cathay Cinema Hall in Singapore on 4th July, 1943. The meeting was attended by about 5000 Indians living there. With his undaunting efforts the withered condition of the INA was well revived. Shortly afterwards it was broadcast throughout the world over the Radio that a Provisional Government of Azad Hind was formed consisting of 21 members with Netaji as Prime Minister. The then nine independent countries like Japan, Germany and Italy etc. recognized the Azad Hind Fauz. It was on 23rd October, 1943 that decision for war against the British and its allies was declared from the radio station of Azad Hind. As a follow-up step, the Provisional Government established the National Bank of Azad Hind and struck their own coins and currency notes etc. New Brigades/Regiments of INA: There were only 3 regiments during the tenure of GOC Mohan Singh, but two new brigades were added during Netaji’s time. They were (i) Subhash Brigade & (ii) Rani Jhansi Regiments – exclusively for women. Donors to INA: The INA was short of fund for war. So it got weapons, provisions and clothes etc. required for war from the Japanese Government as assistance. Apart from these, donations were received from Indians living in Hong Kong, Japan, Saigon, Bangkok, Malay, Singapore, Rangoon (Yangon) etc. thus, a ‘Netaji War Fund’ was formed. War strategy against British India Government: Training to the jawans of the INA had already been completed around 1942 but immediately before launching attack against the British India Government, Mohan Singh, GOC INA was arrested by the Japanese Government. As a result the plan for attack was delayed by about one year until Netaji held the reins of the INA. Three hours after Netaji had given farewell speech to his jawans, three large divisions of Japanese army in concert with jawans of Azad Hind Fauz set off their journey to attack against the ruling British in India. It was from three direct-ions - one leading to Imphal, 2nd to Kohima and third to Arakan. Naki Ahmad Choudhury was also in the contingent of Intelligence Group of INA along with the group of Hikari Kikan (Liaison office) of 33rd Division of Japanese Army and made the journey through the Tiddim Front, leading the advance party. The Commander of the Intelligence group, Col. Saukat Ali Malik stayed back at Rangoon, who met Naki Ahmad Choudhury at Churachandpur (a district in Manipur) after some days towards the beginning of March, 1944. Since then Naki Ahmad worked as Adjt. Captain and Interpreter under the Colonel with the orders of Netaji. The Churachandpur camp which was under Col. Malik Shaheb was the meeting point of INA's Intelligence Group, Bahadur Group, Re-Inforcement Group and Japanese Hikari Kikan's party. Then they marched towards the enemy defense position at Moirang (Manipur) and Bishnupur (a district in Manipur) and after heavy fighting for several days against the British, stayed at the top of Kokadan hill for some days. At the same time a thick smoke of fire coming out from burning houses at Kwakta (a village in the valley area of Moirang) plunged the entire Kwakta village into darkness. Passing through the hills was difficult to march forward. So they had to get down the hills towards the valley. They examined the war map to find out the strategic position to attack the enemy from the valley. It was decided that a patrolling party should be sent under the command of Naki Ahmad Choudhury to Ngangkha Lawai in Moirang (a village) under Bishnupur district, and its surrounding villages to take stock of the war situation for launching an attack. The patrolling party consisting of three Japanese army and seven army personnel of Azad Hind Fauz started for Moirang. When the patrolling party reached the villages near the foot-hills of Kokadan Hill (from where they started the patrolling), no one was found there. Ultimately they met a man named Teba Killong at Sembandyan village and through his guidance they launched an army operation at Ngangkha Lawai village in the evening. From meeting two, three persons in village, they found out that all the British army who had been there were repulsed towards Ningthoukhong and Potsangbam villages under the impact of the artillery fire by the Japanese from Torbung position. While taking position under the bamboo-groves at Ngangkha Lawai, British Indian army in trucks and jeeps passed through the Tiddim road towards the north (Imphal). They got information that the British Indian army made a hasty arrangement to retire from the Kwakta village by the night and Moirang the next day. Now, heavy-gun got ready. They found that Moirang was within the heavy-guns range. The patrolling party of the Intelligence Group fired 5/10 rounds of LMG in the open, but no indication of the presence of the British army was felt. Another patrolling party of Intelligence Group at INA HQ Kwakta under the leadership of Hikari Kikan is ready for departure to Moirang. They signaled to stop heavy-gun shelling for the time being. Thus, the patrolling party of the Intelligence group with Teba Killong, the local man, leading the party, advanced towards Moirang village and entered a house roofed with CI sheet which was shinning very bright in the moonlight. The house belongs to one Heman Nilamani Singh. Naki Ahmad Choudhury took out a tri-color Indian National flag, tied on a wooden pole and hoisted at the courtyard of the house in the south eastern side. They shouted 'Jai Hind'. Soon after that their guide Teba Killong brought 4/5 persons of about 15/20 years of age at the said house and Naki Ahmad had a friendly chat with them on various issues/matters. Some of them sobbingly said 'they had lost hope of their coming back to life again. They further narrated him the oppression, torture, snatching and robbing of their belongings and above all molestation and immoral acts against innocent women by the British army'. They further said that they have regained hope with the arrival of the same language- spoken persons. They assured them that they would give every possible help to the INA. Then they left the place. After hoisting INA flag at Moirang, the combined forces of INA and Japanese army coming from Kwakta joined the jawans of the Intelligence Group at Moirang the next day. NA Choudhury made all arrangement for defense position. Next day, Captain Ahmad along with a Japanese army went to Col. Malik Shaheb and Hikari Kikan at the Kokadan HQ to inform about the flag- hoisting by the INA at Moirang. Amidst terrible air-attack by the British fighter planes, they reached the Col Malik Camp at 7 am after a long and tedious journey all through the night and informed him about the flag-hoisting at Moirang. Given the defense position of the area surrounding the flag-hoi-sting place, Nilamani's home was made the headquarters of INA. Col. Shaheb and his Adjutent Captain Naki Ahmad inspected the camps situated in and around Moirang. People of Sendra, Ithing and Thanga villages of Moirang where war-affected people took shelter were made to understand the aims and objects of INA through lectures and publicity in the areas. In the meetings held very night, people were narrated in Manipuri language. Hearing the story of INA and appeals made by the INA member in the meetings, all the people assembled there volunteered themselves to extend their fullest co-operation and help to INA. Some days later, Captain Itou of Hikari Kikan group along with a large number of army jawans belonging to Bahadur group were deployed at different places of Moirang with the order of Col. Malik in order to take strategic position. In the meantime Capt Naki Ahmad Choudhury, Adjt to Col. Malik arranged a joint-meeting of the local leaders of Moirang who had supported the INA movement and ideology. Some of the local leaders were Kiyam Gopal Singh, Leiphrakpam Sanaba Singh, Kanglen Singh and Chandra Singh. Last but not the least person was the owner of the house wherein the INA HQs was opened, Heman Nilamani Singh whose invaluable help is remarkable. Persons from Imphal who came to INA HQ Moirang to extend their co-operation and support for INA were Potsangbam Tomal Singh, Longjam Bijoy Singh, Laishram Kanhai Singh and Moirangthem Jatra Singh. These four persons were the 1st batch who reached Moirang bazaar at 6 pm and after having a discourse with the Captain (Ahmad) were taken to Col. Malik Shaheb who entrusted them their duties. The 2nd batch comprises of Thokchom Angou Singh and S. Ibohal Singh. Thus, one Nahakpam Apabi Singh from Thambalkhong, a bachelor by then came there and was given the duty of an informer of INA. A number of persons came from Imphal and they voluntarily extended their co-operation to INA whole heartedly. After some days, Wali Ahmad, second brother of Capt. Naki Ahmad Choudhury came to Moirang along with a friend from his Irong village. They met Mairenbam Koireng Singh, Moirang who took them to the INA Head Qtrs. Wali Ahmad after meeting Col. Shaheb was sent on espionage mission to Imphal to collect intelligence on the secret plans of British Military Engineering. He did not come back because he was arrested by the British army there. In the 1st week of May, an American bomber plane known as ‘Uran Qilla’ (Flying Fortress) for the first time in Moirang started bombing in Moirang bazar and Dak Bung-low/I.B. In the bombing a number of INA army and Japanese army suffered causalities. Most of the jawans of INA and Japanese Infantry troupe advanced toward Bishnupur fighting front. As a result, there was no sufficient number of army in Moirang area. All of a sudden, British army attacked Moirang in the month of June, 1944. Intelligence staff of INA made a hasty retreat towards Khoirentak. The British army being unable to face the terrible onslaught of the INA with the sophisticated Indo-Jap Tank and heavy gun from Torbung and Churachandpur position, they (INA) could recover the lost INA HQ, Moirang. In the fierce battle, Captain Itou and a Corporal of Hikari Kikan regiment died in the battle. A few days later when all the jawans of INA was getting ready early in the morning for their duties, a fleet of Air Fighter Squadron planes of British army made a sudden air raid against them. They all ran out of the camp in surprise. The area around it was plunged into darkness due to smoke from the air raid. Adjt. Naki Ahmad Choudhury arranged an undisclosed hiding place for Col. Shaheb and kept him there. While taking evacuating his belonging from the camp, a powerful bomb exploded near-by which threw him into a pond full of water hyacinths. He was injured with bomb splinters in the leg. He was immediately taken to the house of Nilamani (who was then away at Sendra village, Moirang) for his medical treatment. Nilamani’s house was then converted into a sheltering place for a war-affected people. To mention a point is that since the middle of April 1944 a fierce fighting was on between the British forces with its Allies and Indo-Japanese army at some places of Bishnupur district and Pallel area particularly at Potsangbam, and at many places of Pallel. Sounds of heavy air-bombing and artillery firing echo the area. Finally a decisive battle was fought at Maibam Lokpa Ching (Red hill), a village about 17 km away from Imphal towards the south of Imphal. The present battle will decide the fate of the two forces. In the war, the Japanese army was completely routed by the British forces. The Japanese army had therefore, to retreat from Manipur. In the meantime, Naki Ahmad Choudhury who was under medical treatment received a message from Col. SA Malik. The contents of the message read thus "retreat orders of all Indo-Japanese forces posted at different battlefields in Manipur had been received. I have to leave the INA HQ right now. If you like, you also can come with me", Col. Malik said. "In case we are defeated by the British, I believe, the prestige and discipline of the INA will be strictly complied with by all. Your next promotion to Major has been recommended now". Being seriously injured in his right leg, Naki Ahmad Choudhury could not follow Col. Malik to his (Malik’s) backward journey to Burma (Myanmar). One month later, when his health conditions improved, he came back to INA HQ Moirang, but nobody was there. Only 4/5 Japanese jawans were on sentry duty on the wooden bridge at Moirang bazar. He made arrangement for his retreat to Burma along with the Japanese jawans. By then the British jawans fired motargun over there. There was no other alternative for them but to escape from the place. As ill luck would have it, the five Japanese jawans were killed in the bomb attack. NA Choudhury managed to escape from the place in the guise of an innocent civilian. Therefore, he destroyed all the invaluable documents like war diaries, war maps and other records which were thrown into water just under water plants (water hyacinth). At dawn next day, field intelligence force of British army launched a search operation in the area. Naki Ahmad Choudhury was captured by the British forces in the combing operation. He was then admitted to army hospital at Bishnupur for treatment. It was in the morning of 16th August, 1944 that Naki Ahmad Choudhury who was then suffering from his illness was taken to different camps for interrogation. One officer of field intelligence service took his statement in the 4th Assam Rifles based at Imphal. He was induced to join the British forces offering the rank of captain, but he refused the offer in order to keep the discipline of the INA. In September 1944, he was taken with a military escort to a British Military concentration camp at Gigargacha Ghat in East Bengal (now Bangladesh). After spending for 6/7 months there he was then taken to the Prison Cell of Lal Qilla (Red Fort) in Delhi. He was interrogated by two Punjabi Military Officers. In the course of interrogation he was subjected to severe physical harassment and torture. His right ear rendered deaf life-long when a forceful/slap was landed on his right ear. Thus, Naki Ahmad Choudhury spent quite a long time in the jail as a black category prisoner. Meanwhile, General Shah Nawaz Khan, Col. P.K. Sehgal and Col. Gurbax Singh Dhilon, the three high-ranking officers of the INA were held by the British Army and put in a Special Cell in the Lal Qilla Jail, Delhi, waiting for trial under Court Martial. The Indian National Congress formed a committee under the leadership of Pandit Jawaharal Nehru for giving help and safety of the three officers. Naki Ahmad Choudhury was picked up by the Defence Counsel Committee to give evidence for the case involving the three officers. He was taken into Red Ford with army escort for meeting the Defense Counselors. He was made to stay there for 10 days. On the other side, a separate Defense Committee was also constituted by the Muslim League to save them from the trial of the British forces under Martial Law. Mahatma Gandhi also came to the Defense Counsel Hall of the INA along with some British Army Officers. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Ashraf Ali etc. to name a few also visited the hall and had discussions with the Defense Councilors. One day Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru came to INA prison and said, "Brothers! Don’t worry. All the people of India now stand behind you. You will not get hurt even a jolt’. However, you have many tasks ahead. You have to make any available means to come out of the jail. It would be just and proper for you to give the correct statement as wanted by the interrogators for which no reaction will come against you". After 2/3 interrogation, he was taken out from the Special Cell and put into the barrack. He was then taken to a military camp at Lucknow and remained there for about 10 days. He was finally carried by a military escort upto the British Army training center at Ferozepore and was handed over to the Commanding Officer of the Training Centre. Next morning, he was handed over Rs 2000/- with his clothes, shirts and long pants and a kit bag containing his quilts. With that a railway ticket was also given by the Commanding officer and bade good- bye to him. Since that day he became free from the clutches of the British. He thus reached home some days later. One day, his eldest brother, who was then a Durbar member, said to him just before his going to office, ‘President Shaheb of the Durbar wished to see you’. Knowing the message, he went to Durbar to see the president who shook hands with him. On his way back home after the meeting, he was intercepted by some policemen somewhere near Sanjenthong (a bridge near Imphal) and was taken to SP office. That night he was put into the military camp and next day he was handed over to the commanding officer. The reason for his re- arrest was that a message had come from the Military Authority at Delhi to bring him back after re-arrest. He was taken home in a police jeep with escort. He bade goodbye to his parents with some clothes for his personnel use. On way to Delhi he was thrown into the military jail at Pheidinga for 10 days. After 10 days, he was escorted up to the army authority at Lal Qilla in Delhi. During the journey to Delhi, he became quite friendly with the thirteen army personnel of the escort party. He convinced them about the history of the freedom movement and subsequent formation of the INA. After knowing his sincerity and honesty, the escort party held him in high esteem and stayed with him together in the house of Pir Muhammad, a sepoy of the escort party at Barnala village in Patiala. It was Ramzan month (fasting month). Pir Muhammad's house was very near to Sardar Teja Singh, Zamindar of the Barnala Village. So, he (Naki Ahmad Choudhury) had the opportunity to be in close association with the Zamindar. Sardar Teja Singh knew that Naki Ahmad Choudhury belonged to Manipur. So, he decided the fact that he had been friendly with Sir Bodhachandra Singh, the then Maharaja of Manipur in 1942-43. The people of the place being interested asked him to narrate the story of INA. He clearly narrated the rational of coming into being the Azad Hind Fauz and further said the upto-date position of INA with special relation to his role/ involvement with the organization. He was praised by all the communities like Muslim, Punjabi, Hindu Punjabi, Sikh Punjabi etc. After enjoying Idul-Fiter in 1945 at Barnala village he left for Patiala railway station where he met all the 13 army personnel of the escort party as already fixed for. They all left for army headquarters, Delhi in train. All their parents and relatives had a great love for the INA and they advised them not to use weapon against the INA. After reaching Army HQ at Delhi, the Escort Commander left Naki Ahmad Choudhury along with the required documents with the Duty Officers, HQ Delhi. The escort party returned to Pheidinga near Imphal after biding farewell to him. By so doing, Naki Ahmad Choudhury spent some time at the barrack in Lal Qilla Jail, Delhi. He had rare opportunity of meeting Major General Shah Nawaz Khan. One day, the Staff-officer of Netaji, Col. Habibur Rahman was brought into the barrack where Shah Nawaz khan stayed in. His head, face and hands were found bandaged. From his statement it was known that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose died in a plane crash on 18th August, 1945 near Taihoku Airport as the plane took-off for Tokyo. He was cremated with full military honor at the crematorium center in Taihoku Airport. His ash was brought to Renkoji Temple, Tokyo for preservation. The news of the death caused shock and despair among the member of INA. One ex-Col. Ihsan Qadir fainted due to shock at the news of the death. Judgement of the trial of the three heroes of INA - namely Major Gen. Shah Nawaz Khan, Col. GS Dhilon Singh and Col. PK Sehgal was broadcast over the Radio on January 1946. The three officers were acquitted. After 2/3 months Naki Ahmad Choudhury was shifted from the barrack to Army Cantonment in Delhi. He had the chance to meet the 1st GOC Mohan Singh there. He stayed there for about a month and was later transferred to a British army camp at Multan. Finally, he was dismissed from the British service on May 8, 1946 and released from the British jail once and for all. When Naki Ahmad Choudhury came out along with some other detainees from the jail, they were welcomed with respect by the workers of the Indian National Congress with bouquet of flowers in their hands and shouted slogans like 'Inquilab Zindabad', Azad Hind Fauz Zindabad', and they sent them off upto the railway station and happily bade farewell. They arrived in the Relief camp of INA in Calcutta. He was then welcomed by the Chairman of the Committee Shri Amrit Bose who donated Rs 50/- for his expenses. He finally arrived home after being released from jail for the 2nd time on May, 1946. When he arrived home Naki Ahmad Choudhury was invited by a committee formed for the reception of Manipuri Freedom Fighters. The Reception Meeting was held at the residence of RK Maipaksana Singh at Singjamei Chingamathak, Imphal at 1.30 pm. A huge crowd assembled in the said meeting. Among them were prominent personalities like H Dwijamani Deva Sharma, Chingakham Pishak Singh, Salam Tombi Singh. He was warmly welcomed by them and was made to sit with due respect in the verandah of the house. Some of the freedom fighters delivered speeches in connection with the freedom struggle. Naki Ahmad Choudhury was also made to deliver a short speech related with the INA. When his speech was heard, Salam Tombi Singh was overwhelmed with the story of the freedom struggle and spoke spiritedly and marched towards Naki Ahmad and saluted before him. Naki Ahmad said it was the first instance in his life that a Mussalman was accorded due respect by making him sit in the residence of a Meitei - believer of the Hindu religion. (By that time, Muslims were treated as untouchables by the Hindu Meitei). The meeting ended with shouting slogans of INA. They were escorted in the road with band party as a mark of respect to the freedom fighters. This story is the product of my direct conversation and consultation with the late Freedom Fighter, Naki Ahmad Choudhury when he was alive. The story is produced in an abridged form. For a time Naki Ahmad Choudhury had been a school teacher in the Wangkhei Boys' School, Imphal after being released from jail. After 1947 when Indian became independent, he worked as a clerk in the PWD, Manipur to eke out his livelihood. In 1972/73 he was honored with the award of a citation and monthly pension as Freedom Fighter by the then Government of India. He was all the more honored with a 'Special Award' on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Imphal in 1995. On 6th December, 1996 the freedom fighter breathed his last. His death caused an irreparable loss to Manipur.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)

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