ZCZC
BSS-29
MOZAMMEL-INDIRA-REMINISCENCE
Indira Gandhi was true friend of Bangladesh: Mozammel
DHAKA, Oct 31, 2020 (BSS) – Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM
Mozammel Haque today said India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
was a true friend of Bangladesh as she extended unparallel support to
the country’s great liberation war in 1971.
He said this while addressing a discussion arranged by ‘Bangladesh
Sacheton Nagarik Committee’ in memory of Indira Gandhi at Jatiya Press
Club here.
The minister said under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, India gave
shelter to a huge number of Bangladeshi refugees, provided trainings
and weapons to Mukti Bahini during the Liberation War.
Had Bangladesh not got these supports, the Liberation War would have
been longer, he added.
Mozammel said Indira Gandhi is the first world leader who protested
against the arrest of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman just after his
proclamation of independence of the country in the early hours of
March 26, 1971.
She opened the border and gave shelter to around one crore refugees
during the war, he said.
The minister said the people of Bangladesh will always remember the
contributions of Indira Gandhi to the Liberation War with gratitude
and honor.
He said there is a plan to build ‘Indira Manch’ at the historic
Suhrawardy Udyan from where Indira Gandhi made announcement of
bringing back the soldiers of Indian allied forces to their country.
Besides, works are underway to construct monuments in memory of
martyred soldiers of Indian allied forces, he added.
Bangladesh former ambassador to Nepal and Bangladesh Sacheton
Nagarik Committee convener Prof Dr Neem Chandra Bhowmik chaired the
function while Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU)
former vice-chancellor Prof Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan, Jatiya Press Club
President Saiful Alam and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Kendrio
Command Council former secretary general and freedom fighter Md
Salahuddin spoke, among others.
BSS/PR/MKD/MRU/1851hrs