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Sarkar praises Indira�s stand on B�desh freedom struggle

By PRABIR SIL

AGARTALA, Dec 16 - Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Friday showered praise on the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her courageous stand on the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

�It was former PM Indira Gandhi, who did an excellent job in creating Bangladesh by extending all possible help to the Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh�, he said while speaking at a programme to mark Vijay Diwas at Rabindra Bhavan here.

Indira Gandhi had tried her level best to garner support worldwide for the Bangladesh liberation war spanning over nine month, he said.

Sarkar also recalled the contribution of Tripura�s former Chief Minister Sachindra Lal Singha, the then opposition leader Nripen Chakraborty and two MPs � Biren Dutta and Dasarath Deb in the liberation war. Terming Bangladesh liberation war a classical struggle for independence, the Chief Minister said it took only nine month struggle to liberate the erstwhile East Pakistan which is rare in world history.

However, Sarkar lamented the rise of communal forces in both sides of the border. �The foundation of the Constitution and secularism is at stake as communal forces are on the move to create divisions among people on grounds of religion�, he said.

�We all should resist such moves to divide the nation further because it will not bring prosperity to the people�, he said in an apparent criticism of BJP and its right-wing organisations like RSS and VHP.

Bangladesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim in his emotional speech said the support from India at the time of Bangladesh liberation war will not be forgotten ever. �Tripura, which had a population of around 11 lakh then, gave shelter to over 22 lakh Muktijoddha and their well wishers during the freedom struggle. It will remain unbelievable to the entire world�, he acknowledged.

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