Memorial park for 1971 war heroes to open tomorrow

Agartala, Dec 15 (PTI) A park, commemorating Indiansoldiers and Bangladeshi freedom fighters who lost their livesduring the 1971 Liberation war, wo...

Agartala, Dec 15 (PTI) A park, commemorating Indiansoldiers and Bangladeshi freedom fighters who lost their livesduring the 1971 Liberation war, would be inaugurated by ChiefMinister Manik Sarkar here tomorrow.

The massive park has been built at Chottakhola, aborder village, about 130 km from Agartala.

The foundation stone for the 20.20 hectare park, whichencompasses seven hillocks and a lake near the Trishna wildlife sanctuary, was laid by the then Bangladesh ForeignMinister Dipu Moni in November 2010.

Two statues of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman andformer Prime Minister of India, India Gandhi, were put up inthe park which was earlier a base for 'Mukti Joddhas'(Bangladeshi freedom fighters) from where they launchedoperations against the Pakistani army in Noakhali, Feni andparts of Comilla district of Bangladesh.

A 57 feet tower was constructed at the park from whereparts of Noakhali and Feni districts in neighbouringBangladesh are visible.

"A museum, which is under constructions at the park,would display arms and ammunition used in the war, oldphotographs and newspaper clippings," local MLA, Sudhan Dastold reporters.

PWD Minister Badal Choudhury said the Tripuragovernment built the park at a cost of Rs 7 crore withcontributions from different government departments.

“We have a shared history with Banfladesh and we havelingual and cultural affinity. It is a milestone of ourfriendship with Bangladesh. So, we have named itBangladesh-Bharat Moitree Udyaan (Bangladesh-India friendshippark)”, Chowdhury, who hails from South Tripura district, toldreporters.

He hoped that the park will become a new address fortourists both from within India as well as Bangladesh.

“During the Liberation War, I joined the Mukti Joddhasafter a short training and fought against the Pakistani armyin the Comilla sector,” former deputy speaker and a prominentleader of the ruling CPI(M) Subol Rudra recalled.

Former Congress minister and now BJP leader, JawharSaha said, “I was also a member of the Mukti Fauj. When theIndian army was combating the Pakistani army, our duty was toattack the Rajakars or the collaborators of the Pakistaniarmy,"State PWD Minister, Badal Chowdhury, Forest MinisterNaresh Jamatiya, Drinking Water Supply Minister RatanBhowmick, Lok Sabha MPs – Jitendra Chowdhury and ShankarPrasad Datta and local MLA, Sudhan are among other dignitarieswould attend the inaugural ceremony. PTI CORR JOYJM.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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