The Japanese occupied the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during World War II from 23rd March 1942 to 7th October 1945. They put to death hundreds of people in the most barbaric way on suspicion of sympathizing with the British. Many educated persons, rounded up as suspected spies were kept in the Cellular Jail, and later shot dead. The Homfraygunj Martyrs' Memorial stands today as a mute witness to the inhuman treatment of the Japanese meted out to the citizens of Andamans. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose visited the islands as Head of the Provisional Government of India on 29th December 1943. During the three -day on the islands, he visited the Cellular Jail, however, he was not allowed to meet those who were held on the false charges of being British spies. He appointed Col. Loganathan as the Chief Commissioner of the Islands and handed over the Provisional Government to him. However, the Japanese Military Rulers continued their ‘reign of terror’ which is still remembered with dread by the local populace.