Call to establish allied force monument

They also called for setting up of a 'Birshreshtha Smriti Complex' at Jatiya Sangsad area where all information related to the liberation war will be preserved.

The demands were placed at a press conference followed by a discussion organised by the Citizens Rights Movement at the National Press Club in the city.

In a written statement, Tushar Rehman, general secretary of the Movement, said with the inception of the war around one crore people from this country took shelter in India to save their lives from the attack of Pakistan army.

Besides, the then political leaders also took shelter in India for strategic reasons and planned for a temporary government to conduct the war, he added.

Recalling the contribution of India to the liberation war, Tusher said the Allied Force was formed comprising Indian Army and Mukti Bahini at the end of the war to help expedite the victory.

Major General (Retd) KM Shafiullah, the first army chief of Bangladesh, said though it is too late the monument should be established to pay tributes to over 1000 Indian soldiers killed in the war.

He said it was possible to form a strong resistance against Pakistan army when the Indian government extended support to the freedom fighters.

Stressing the need for a monument Syed Abul Maksud, an eminent columnist, said a city street should be named after Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister of India, in recognition of her great role in the liberation war.

The speakers also called for changing the name of Bangladesh Army Museum into 'Bangladesh Liberation War and Army Museum' and Bangladesh Army Stadium into 'Bangladesh Liberation War Army Stadium'.

They also demanded setting up of 'Birshreshtha Smriti Complex' in the home districts of seven Birshreshthas.

Major (Retd) Hamidul Hossain Tarek Birbikram, Dr Sarwar Ali, director of the Liberation War Museum, Prof Dr Anwar Hossain, dean of Zoology faculty at Dhaka University and Syed Margub Morshed, chief adviser to the Movement, also spoke on the occasion.