Bangladesh creation benefited Northeast: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh

 Soldiers from Assam displayed exemplary courage in 1971 war: CM

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that the strategy played by the Government of India in the separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971 benefited the Northeast the most. It, he said, shielded the land-locked region from the wrath of Pakistan-based militants who wreak havoc on the western border with India.

The Defense Minister said this at a function organized here today to felicitate the brave hearts who fought the Bangladesh Liberation War and their kin. The Union Minister took part as the chief guest at the function.

The State Government felicitated the family members of as many as 105 brave hearts who fought the Bangladesh Liberation War. It honoured nine war widows with Rs 10 lakh each, eight battle casualties with Rs 5 lakh each, two war prisoners with Rs 2.50 lakh each and 86 war veterans with Rs 2 lakh each.

Rajnath Singh said, "Good rapport between the Centre and the State Government led to the withdrawal of the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act) from the Northeastern states in phases. The Centre has withdrawn the Act from 23 districts in Assam alone.

"Some quarters try to give an impression that the Centre doesn't withdraw the AFSPA from the Northeast as the Army does not want it. It is not true. The Army never wants enforcement of the Act, because looking internal security of a state is not their duty. Their assigned duty is to protect the borders of the country from external threats. The Centre enforces the AFSPA when the situation demands so. The Army even wants the withdrawal of the AFSPA from Jammu & Kashmir."

Recalling the contributions of Srimanta Sankardev, Lachit Barphukan, Bhupen Hazarika, Lakshminath Bezbaruah and others, he said, "Assam has an unbelievable social harmony. The people of the state should remain alert to keep that harmony intact. The programme organized by the State Government today touched me to the core of my heart. The felicitation offered today is not for the Bangladesh war veterans from the State alone. It's an honour to the war veterans of the entire nation."

Singh said, "Our stand is crystal clear – rooting out terrors from the country. If any foreign countries aid and abet terrorists in India, we don't hesitate to teach them a lesson entering their territory. Our thrust is on developing infrastructure along the borders – eastern or western. Improved border infrastructure is the prerequisite for the defence preparedness of a nation. We can never comprise border infrastructure.

"An army man has no caste or creed as soon as wearing his uniform. In sync with this feeling, society should do their best to keep the age-old brotherhood amongst them intact."

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The 1971 War was a landmark movement in the history as it saw the creation of a sovereign nation, the People's Republic of Bangladesh. During that war soldiers from our state too displayed exemplary courage by putting their lives in the line of duty. Nine valiant soldiers from Assam made supreme sacrifices in that war, besides injuries to many. We feel proud to have honoured all those brave hearts. A section of police officers of Assam who assumed a crucial part in the training of Mukti Bahini in the run-up to the war also deserves special mention."

The Chief Minister said, "Bhupen Hazarika's immortal song – joy joy nobojato Bangladesh, joy joy Mukti Bahini… — written on the war of liberation still rings the heart of people. The State Government has taken several schemes for ex-army men. We will take more such schemes in the future also. We will do everything for war veterans."

Retired Lt Gen Kazi Sajjad Zahir of Bangladesh, who was also present at the programme, said, "Within 23 years of the formation of Pakistan East Pakistan turned into a graveyard (kabarsthan) for us. India rescued us from the atrocities the Pakistanis let loose on us. A lot of the Indian army had to face bloodshed for that. We are the best friend of India, and we want to keep this friendship intact."

The war veterans from Assam who lost their lives in the 1971 war are – lance havildar Krishnamohan Rajbongshi from Bongaigaon, sepoy Gonok Chandra Rai from Chirang, sepoy Ram Bahadur Chetry from Dibrugarh, gunner Badri Singh from Tinsukia, sepoy Narayan Kalita from Tinsukia, sepoy Thejendra Rabha from Goalpara, sepoy Suren Chandra Basumatary from Goalpara, gunner Hem Kanta Kalita from Guwahati and sepoy Khageswar Lalung.

The programme also felicitated eight injured and two prisoners of war.

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