Belonia, Feb 21 (TIWN): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may inaugurate Indo Bangla Maitri Park at Chottakhola under Rajnagar RD Block of South Tripura District on March according to sources in the State administration. Chottakhola Park is all set ready to welcome Bangladesh Premier. Moreover there was a seminar between Students and Professors of Tripura University and Dhaka University in Chottakhola Community Hall on 21st February on Vasa Divas.

This time, the Bangladesh prime minister would be coming here to unveil the Indo-Bangla Maitri Park at Belonia’s Chottakhola area, once a launching pad of Muktiyuddha of Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

A formal communication has already been sent to Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka. Sources said, the Bangladesh Prime Minister has accepted the invitation to inaugurate the Maitri Park but date has not been finalised yet. “But anytime in March, she will be arriving”, confirmed an official of the State administration.

During Bangladesh Liberation War, thousands of Muktiyuddhas had got arms training at Chottakhola.

Hundreds of Muktiyuddhas (freedom fighters) who were killed by Pakistani Army, were also laid to rest at Chottakhola which fell under sector II of Muktiyuddhas.

Although Chottakhola is considered as one of the pilgrimages for Muktiyuddhas, it remained neglected for a considerable period.

“It was local MLA Sudhan Das who had brought the place to limelight by initiating to establish a Indo-Bangla Maitri Park which will symbolise India’s contribution in the Bangladesh freedom struggle.

The then Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni laid the foundation stone for the park in November, 2010.

The Centre has already allocated Rs 2.30 crore to build the Maitri park spreading over 20 acres near the Indo-Bangla border.

Two statues of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, considered Father of Bangladesh, would installed in the park. Besides, a 40-feet high war memorial would also be built in the park.

“We hope Maitri Park will refresh the memory of the freedom struggle and sacrifice made by the people of the State in the Bangladesh Liberation War”, said the MLA to TIWN.