Netaji did not get due honours, says Mamata Banerjee

Darjeeling: Amidst the demand for declassification of secret files relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday rued that he did not got the honours he deserved from "powers that be".

"The final days of Netaji is still a mystery. What happened to him, no one knows. History is incomplete. Netaji has not got the honour he deserved from the powers that be," Banerjee said at a government programme to observe his 118th birth anniversary here.

Along with some activists, several of Netaji's family members have been demanding release of secret files from government records which they said can solve the mystery of his disappearance in 1945.

In a recent RTI reply, the PMO said there were 41 files related to Netaji, of which two had been declassified, but the remaining ones would not made so as the "disclosure would prejudicially affect relation with foreign countries".

"Netaji is one of the most inspirational persons in Indian history. I am ready to sacrifice my life for preserving the unity of this country," Banerjee said.

"I love my brothers and sisters of the Hills. I am happy to be in Darjeeling to celebrate the birthday of the great son of India," said the chief minister, who was here on January 23 last year too.

The Trinamool Congress chief also remembered the contribution of the Gorkhas in the formation of the Indian National Army (INA).

She announced Rs one lakh assistance each to 10 poor persons of Sherpa and Rs five crore to the Sherpa Cultural Board for the development of the community.

Senior Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders like Roshan Giri, Ramesh Alley and Harka Bahadur Chhetri were present at the programme.