Ruzazho Village, Nagaland: Poswuyi Swuro, the last surviving associate of the legendary Indian freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Nagaland, breathed his last on April 15 at 4:03 PM at his residence in Ruzazho village. He was believed to be around 106 years old.
Swuro, a revered former village headman (DB) and pastor of the Ruzazho Village Baptist Church, was not only a pillar of his community but also a forgotten hero of India’s freedom struggle. His most significant contribution to history was his role as Netaji’s interpreter and guide during the Indian National Army (INA) leader’s camping in Nagaland in the 1940s.
A witness to history
During Netaji’s stay in Ruzazho village—which lasted nine crucial days—Swuro played an indispensable role in bridging communication between Bose and the local Naga leaders. His deep understanding of multiple languages and his unwavering commitment to the freedom movement made him an invaluable asset to the INA’s mission in the region.
Swuro’s firsthand accounts of Netaji’s strategies, interactions with Naga leaders, and the broader resistance against British colonial rule provided historians with rare insights into a lesser-known chapter of India’s struggle for independence.
Beyond his role in the freedom movement, Swuro was a respected spiritual leader and community elder. As the pastor of Ruzazho Village Baptist Church, he dedicated decades to guiding his people with wisdom and compassion. Even in his later years, villagers and historians sought him out, eager to hear his recollections of Netaji and the tumultuous era of the 1940s.
With Swuro’s passing, Nagaland—and India—loses its last living connection to Netaji’s historic visit to the region. Historians and freedom struggle researchers have long emphasized the importance of documenting his memories, as they offered a unique perspective on the INA’s operations in Northeast India.
Swuro and Netaji’s mission in Nagaland
In one of his last interviews with RSS Kshetra Pracharak Sunil Mohanty, Swuro had vividly recalled his daring contributions to the INA’s operations. “As per Netaji’s order, I, as the village DB, frequently visited nearby villages to collect rations for the Azad Hind Fauj,” he explained. The supplies were stored at Vuta Choku or *apan Wobu Ku—a makeshift depot nicknamed the “Japan Pig Stock Centre”—which sustained INA and Japanese troops in the region. Alongside his brother Vesuyi, Swuro led dangerous missions, navigating through hostile terrain under constant threat from British forces. “Once, while marching towards Zunheboto, we learned of a large British troop presence. We waited at night in Satakha, 50 km from Ruzazho, but had to retreat. On our way back, the British ambushed us near Dzulhami, killing three Japanese soldiers and a Naga comrade,” he recounted, his voice trembling with emotion. What remained etched in his memory—and in the hearts of Ruzazho’s villagers—was Netaji’s parting promise after his nine-day stay. “Before leaving, Netaji vowed to return after India’s victory and build schools, hospitals, roads, and piped water for the village,” Swuro said, his eyes welling up. Though Netaji never returned, his words lived on through generations of oral storytelling, a testament to the unfulfilled dreams of a revolutionary and the quiet heroism of men like Poswuyi Swuro.
Nagaland minister and BJP leader Temjen Imna Along expressed deep sorrow over Swuro’s demise, stating, “Poswuyi Swuro was not just a link to our glorious past but a symbol of courage and dedication. His contributions to India’s freedom struggle and his service to society will never be forgotten.”
Similar tributes came from various political leaders, historians, and veterans’ associations, acknowledging Swuro’s quiet yet monumental role in history.
Swuro’s funeral is expected to be held in Ruzazho village with state honors, as per family sources. His life and legacy will be commemorated in a special ceremony attended by local leaders, historians, and freedom fighter descendants.
As the nation mourns his passing, Poswuyi Swuro’s story serves as a reminder of the countless unsung heroes who shaped India’s journey to independence—one silent sacrifice at a time.
