Tripura : Indian Army renovates Dukli War Memorial at Agartala – A testimony to the courage and grit of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, Param Vir Chakra
"Today is December 3, 2019, the day Paramvir Albert Ekka was martyred (on Dec 3, 1971). I salute and bow before the brave soldier," PM Narendra Modi in 2019 at an election campaign in Jharkhand.
The sacrifice of valiant soldiers of the Indian Army at the battle of Gangasagar during Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 was recognised by the nation with the conferment of Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awarded posthumously to Lance Naik Albert Ekka.
"We all feel proud that a befitting Memorial is coming up at Sripalli village in Dukli area at Agartala," said a student Amit Bhil adding, "Paying homage to him and remembering Ekka at this juncture is all the more critical because the same Bangladesh is in turmoil today".
In Agartala, local people have a passionate relationship and liking for Bangladesh -- the country created in 1971. Of course, without Tripura doing its part, splitting 'East Pakistan' out of India's most trouble-some neighbour probably would not have been possible.
As Bangladesh plunged into chaos and crisis in 2024 - within months of re-election of the Awami League regime, the state of Tripura in northeast also came into focus of both the policy makers and also those tracking the geo-strategic situations.
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| Blogger's homage at a memorial maintained by civil administration |
Spear Corps of Indian army in collaboration with the Government of Tripura is renovating the Dukli War Memorial. It's different from the one at Lichubagan area of Agartala maintained by state's civil administration.
A few key dimensions always revolve around Bangladesh-Tripura relationships. They are language, civilisational, historical and cultural. Perhaps a more important aspect in today's scenario is the Security.
The Dukli memorial of Ekka was constructed by the local villagers and administration of Sripalli village in Dukli area of Agartala city years ago.
Param Vir Chakra awardee Ekka (posthumous) and 13 other Indian soldiers had laid down their lives protecting the Agartala city in 1971 war.
Earlier, the memorial constituted of a single cement block with inscription on three sides in English, Hindi and Bangla. Post renovation the memorial is going to have a complete revamped look, official sources said.
Over the period of time, the Memorial required renovating upkeep and maintenance. Hence, in a step to improve the present state of the memorial and restore the glory of the valiant soldiers, an initiative was taken by the ‘Spear Corps’ of Indian Army to renovate the memorial.
The assistance of the Government of Tripura also came in without much hassles.
Various improvements at the memorial to include a backdrop wall with martyrs Mural, Granite tiling of the complete surface, repair of outer structure alongwith steel railing and covering of the memorial with roof are being incorporated in the renovation work.
Soldiers of the Indian Army laid down their lives in the fierce clash to capture Pakistani Advance Position at Gangasagar opposite Agartala city in Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh which was then the East Pakistan.
Renovation of the war memorial is expected to be completed by February 2025.
As the war broke out in 1971, 14 Guards was attached to the IV Corps.
The capture of Gangasagar, located 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) to the south Akhaura in the Brahmanbaria district (of Bangladesh), was crucial for the advancement of IV Corps, and 14 Guards was tasked for that.
As the operation began, the unit placed itself south of Gangasagar, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from Akhaura railway station, and formed its defences.
The high ground around the railway station was their main defence, followed by anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. During a patrol, Pakistani troops were found moving on the railway tracks. Soon two companies of the battalion attacked the enemy positions along the track.
Ends
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