Grand-nephew for international probe

CUTTACK: Chandra Bose, grand-nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, on Sunday called for institution of an international commission to probe the mysterious disappearance of Netaji. He also wanted  the Centre to accept the Justice Mukherjee Commission report which proved that Netaji did not die in a plane crash. Chandra, who was on a visit to the City, also birthplace of Netaji, took part in a Citizens’ Conference organised by All India Forward Bloc (AIFB). He sought correction in the booklet on freedom fighters of India published by the Lok Sabha, wherein Netaji has been stated to have died in a plane crash in Japan on August 18, 1945.  Only an international commission can unearth the mystery behind the disappearance of Netaji as he went missing abroad and spent a larger part of his life outside the country, he said and added the Justice Mukherjee Commission conclusively proved that he did not die in any plane crash.  He extended support to the people’s movement organised by AIFB. The party has launched a nationwide movement to make the government accept the Justice Mukherjee Commission report. It will also stage a ‘jail bharo’ agitation on November 18 to press for the demand.  The party has also demanded announcement of Netaji Jayanti on January 23 as ‘Desh Prem Divas’, State AIFB president Santosh Mitra said. The Citizens’ Conference was attended by Rajya Sabha member Baisnab Parida, CPI general secretary, Orissa, Dibakar Nayak, CPM secretary Subash Singh. Earlier, Chandra and wife Usha Menon Bose visited the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum here. He expressed amazement and pleasure over the exhibits in the museum. Rare documents and articles of Netaji, which are not showcased anywhere, are on display here, he stated.