Darthawma, Mizoram’s lone surviving INA member, dies at 99

Aizawl, July 21 (PTI): Darthawma, the lone surviving Mizo member of Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), died of multi-organ failure in south Mizoram’s Lunglei on Sunday morning, his family said.

He was 99.

The freedom fighter’s last rites were performed at Lunglei, 170 km from here, this afternoon.

It was attended by representatives from the district administration, Army, paramilitary forces, non-governmental organisations and Ex-Servicemen.

He is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Darthawma had joined the Army Medical Corps of the British Indian Army on November 27, 1940 during the World War 2 and was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army in early 1942 during his posting at Malaysia’s Penang Island.

He joined the INA in May 1942 to fight against the British colonial rule.

Two years after joining the INA, Darthawma was captured by the British in 1944 but was released from Lucknow Jail on January 15, 1945 following the intervention of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Indian government awarded him the ‘Tamrapatra Award’ in 1972 for his role in the struggle for Indian independence.