Sribhumi: National Flag Stolen Hours After Independence Day Hoisting at Lakshmi Bazar Sub-Centre

A national flag hoisted at the Lakshmi Bazar Ayushman Arogya Mandir, a medical sub-centre in Narikhali village of Sribhumi district, was reportedly stolen along with its bamboo flagpole on Independence Day, August 15.

The incident came to light around two hours after the flag was hoisted in the morning. According to a written complaint submitted to the Girishganj Watch Post, staff at the sub-centre noticed that the national flag and bamboo flagpole were missing from the premises.

The complaint was filed by Chief Health Officer Sudipa Verma, ANM Rita Das, ASHA worker Fatima Begom and Abdul Malik Choudhury. Police are investigating the incident.

Parimal Chanda, Secretary of the local Village Defence Party (VDP), described the incident as an “anti-national activity” and called for strict action against those responsible. He said that two national flags were reportedly stolen in the area on Independence Day, one from the medical sub-centre and another from the local post office.

Chanda said the sub-centre staff came to know about the missing flag after 8 am and claimed that the flag at the post office was also found missing around a similar time. The exact timing and circumstances of both incidents are yet to be independently established and will be part of the police investigation.

He further alleged that windows at the sub-centre had also been damaged. According to him, people sometimes engage in “unsocial activities”, including gambling and drinking, at the premises at night. These allegations have not been independently verified.

The written complaint also states that similar incidents involving the national flag have reportedly occurred at the sub-centre several times over the past two years. Police are expected to verify the claim as part of their investigation.

No arrest has been reported so far, and the identity of those responsible remains unknown.