In memory of the martyrs of the liberation war of Bangladesh, a memorial was erected in Agartala, the capital of the Indian state of Tripura. The monument was recently demolished. Bangladeshi nationals from home and abroad have issued statements expressing concern over the incident.
Shah J Choudhury, editor of New York based television channel Bangla Channel and Ruposhi Bangla, sent a statement protesting the incident.
In the statement, Shah J Choudhury said that the liberation war is an integral part of the history of independence of Bangladesh. The people of India and Tripura had huge support and cooperation in the war of liberation. One of the relics of the liberation war of the people of India and Bangladesh is, the 40 foot high martyr memorial at the Chaumohoni post office in Agartala, the capital of Tripura. This monument is a symbol of the liberation war of the martyrs of these two countries.
Shah J Choudhury added that, This memorable place in Agartala made a historical bonding between the people of Bangladesh and Tripura. Newspapers have reported that the current BJP government in India has recently dismantled it, citing urban development.
Shah J Choudhury said, this decision of the BJP government has hurt me. It’s a shame. This is insulting. It is an insult and disregard for the people of Bangladesh, a friendly country of India, and the martyred freedom fighters of 1971. I strongly protest against this. At the same time, we demand the restoration and proper preservation of the Agartala monument, a symbol of human relations between two countries.
The statement said that, we are deeply saddened by the removal of the monument. The Indian authorities were requested that, the monument should be restored to its proper place and all the monuments between the two countries should be properly preserved.
