Tripura CM poses with sophisticated guns. But why?

Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb was seen posing with sophisticated weapons on Saturday. However, there is more to this than meets the eye.

It was during his visit to the arms exhibition centre at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on the occasion of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ in Agartala to mark the 50 years of Indian Army’s victory in 1971 Liberation War when he tried his hands at some of the weapons on display.

The CM was accompanied by Information and Cultural Affairs minister Sushanta Chowdhury and senior officials from the Indian Army and the BSF during his visit.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Deb said that 1971 was a historic time for the people of Tripura and Bangladesh. “At this time the people of India and the state of Tripura attracted the people of Bangladesh. While serving in the Indian Army in the War of Liberation, the heroic soldier, Albert Ekka, was martyred,” Deb said.

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The Chief Minister thanked this great armyman and his family, and said the Indian Army is one of the strongest forces in the world. “The freedom fighters with the help of the Indian army gave the right answer to Pakistan and established their rights in Bangladesh,” Deb said.

Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who was the first Indian soldier to be martyred by the Pakistan aggressors during the 1971 War, was also posthumously honoured. Vincent Ekka, son of Albert Ekka, received this honour. The CM also announced that Ekka’s family would be given an honorarium of Rs 1 lakh by the Tripura government.

The state also honoured those who served in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and the wives of martyred soldiers on the occasion.

The Indian Army played a special role in the liberation war of Bangladesh. This year is the golden jubilee of this victory celebration. To mark the occasion, the Indian Armed Forces has undertaken a special programme. “Vijay Mashal Jatra” was started by the Armed Forces from the national capital Delhi.

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Four torches left for different corners of the country and one of those has reached Agartala. On Saturday, Tripura Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya officially inaugurated the torch at Agartala.

The torch was then brought to Rabindra Bhavan Building in the capital. The festival of harmony between the Indian Armed Forces and the people is celebrated here.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs Sushanta Chowdhury, Indian Army Brigadier Dinesh Chowdhury, Colonel Amatendra Pratap Singh, Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Tripura Frontiers Inspector General Sushanta Nath were some of the dignitaries present.

The torchbearer, who started his journey holding the Governor’s hand, came on the stage and handed over the torch to the Deputy Minister and other guests.

Students from different various participated in a cultural events organized on behalf of the army.

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