New Delhi: After hoisting the national flag at the Red Fort today to celebrate the 75th foundation day of the Indian National Army (INA), Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also planning to visit Port Blair on December 30. On the very same date in 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had hoisted the national flag at the Gymkhana grounds there and declared the Island territory free from the British rule.

“As per the plans, the Prime Minister is likely to visit the islands to honour the feat achieved by Netaji in December,” sources said.

In 1943, the Japanese during World War 2 had captured the islands from the British and after that, Netaji had landed there on December 29, 1943. The commander-in-chief of the INA had landed there with several of his Captain Rawat - ADC and Colonel DS Raju.

The senior-most Japanese officer there had welcomed him along with the Indians living there. Bose had changed the name of Andaman island and Nicobar island to Shaheed and Swaraj respectively.

After the announcement on Twitter by the Prime Minister to celebrate Netaji’s feats, the BJP also decided to organise various events across the country to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the establishment of the INA on October 21.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had established the provincial Azad Hind Government in Singapore on October 21, 1943. On August 14, 1944, the Bahadur Brigade of the INA, led by Colonel Saukat Ali Malik, captured Moirang - a town in Manipur on the Indo-Myanmar border.

Netaji also issued currency, code and stamps of the INA.