At the end of World War II, Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945. However, the Netherlands were determined to return to Indonesia and this effort was supported by the Allied Forces who entered Indonesia after Japan surrendered. This started the Indonesian National Revolution. On 14 February 1946, indigenous members of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army ("KNIL") in Manado with the assistance of local youth and freedom fighters captured the Dutch officers of the KNIL. On 16 February 1946, Lapian who was the head of the district of Manado at the time was named the head of the government of the Republic of Indonesia in North Sulawesi. The revolt lasted until 10 March 1946, when the Dutch were able to re-occupy the region. Lapian was captured and jailed in Manado. He was moved to Cipinang in Jakarta in 1947 and then to Sukamiskin in Bandung in 1948. He was released on 20 December 1949 after the Dutch–Indonesian Round Table Conference agreement.