Darjeeling MP Raju Bista paid homage to Veer Major Durga Malla, the first Gorkha soldier from the Indian National Army (INA) to sacrifice his life for the cause of Indian independence movement.
“I pay my respects and heartfelt homage to the freedom fighter Gorkhasput martyr Major Durga Malla of the Azad Hind Fauj on August 25, 1944, the day he was assassinated by the autocratic British rule,” Bista tweeted.
आजाद हिन्द फ़ौजका विर स्वतन्त्रता सेनानी गोर्खासपूत सहीद मेजर दुर्गा मल्ललाई 25 अगस्त 1944 मा निरकुंश अंग्रेज सासनले फासिमा चड़ाएको दिन, उनको पुण्यतिथिमा कोटी – कोटी प्रणाम एवं भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि अर्पण गर्दछु। pic.twitter.com/X2nNVfPvU1
— Raju Bista (@RajuBistaBJP) August 25, 2020
Major Durga Malla enrolled in 2/1 Gorkha Rifles when he was just 18 years old. His patriotism brought him close to the INA of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Malla was asked to work in the intelligence wing of the INA. When he was collecting information about the enemy camps, he was caught in action at Kohima. He was given death sentence by the Court of Trial at Red Fort, New Delhi.
“The sacrifice I am offering shall not go in vain. India will be free. I am confident. This is only a matter of time, Sharda! Don’t worry, crores of Hindustanis are with you,” Malla told his wife, Sharda Malla.
On 15th August 1944, Veer Durga Malla, the great patriot, was taken to Delhi Central Jail from the Red Fort. After ten days, on 25th August 1944, he was sent to the gallows.