Tricolour hoisted upside down in Andaman

Port Blair, Dec 30 (UNI) Andaman and Nicobar Lt Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh today hoisted the national tricolour here to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose declaring the islands free from British rule on this day in 1943.

However, to the embarrassment of Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh who took over as the new Lt Governor just yesterday the flag was found upside down, officials said.

Since Netaji hoisted the National Flag at the islands on this day in 1943, the day is celebrated as one of the most historically important days in India.

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, this day holds special significance and to mark the occasion the administration organises a special function.

''The new Lt Governor was upset,'' Secretary to the Lt Governor G C Joshi, an IAS officer, told UNI here this morning referring to the faux pas.

The Andaman and Nicobar Police, which arranges the flag for hoisting and oversees the event, has taken the matter seriously.

''We are looking into the matter and will be able to say later what action we are taking,'' Jaspal Singh, Andaman Superintendent of Police told UNI.

Mr Singh said, ''the Armed Police is responsible for such errors.'' The Lt Governor also laid a wreath at Netaji's statue, 1857 Memorial Marina Park, Battle of Aberdeen Memorial and Martyrs' Column, National Memorial Cellular Jail here.

A memorial stands today at the Andaman Club, Netaji Stadium as a mute testimony of his visit to the islands and the historic moment of hoisting of the Indian tricolour.

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