Preserve Netaji's heritage in Myanmar, Modi urged

Guwahati: A journalists' forum has appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask the Myanmar government during his visit to the country next week to preserve monuments there related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

"We have apprehensions that rampant development activities in various parts of Myanmar may help builders grab the land belonging to historical buildings, including the headquarter of Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army)," the Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) said in a statement released Friday.

Modi is travelling to Myanmar, Fiji and Australia from Nov 11 to participate in various summits and bilateral meetings.

Modi will attend the ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit in Myanmar. He has often described the nation as India's valued friend.

"Having stronger relations with Myanmar is a priority for us," said Modi in one of his recent tweets, adding, "Our ties with South East Asia are deep rooted. Strengthening relations with ASEAN nations is an important part of our Act East Policy."

Led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the INA had fought against the British imperialist forces with its 40,000 valiant soldiers. They fought many battles in the hills and valleys of Manipur, Nagaland and Assam.

The forum also urged Modi to talk to Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, now a lawmaker in Myanmar parliament and whose father was a close friend of Netaji Subhas, for her support in preserving Indian heritage in Myanmar.