A replica gun placed in front of the military war memorial in Agartala has been missing for over a week. The incident near the State Secretariat and the High Court embarrassed the Tripura authorities as it amounted to dishonouring India's brave soldiers who died during the war of liberation of Bangladesh.
New military war memorial in midst of a sprawling park was inaugurated on Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) on December 16 last to commemorate sacrifices of soldiers fighting Pakistani Army along Tripura frontier in 1971. Agartala Municipal Council provided land on Airport road for construction of the memorial after old one was demolished.
An officer of Military Station at Agartala lodged a general diary with New Capital Complex Police Station on March 8 following apparent stealing of the gun. “We are investigating but no clue so far”, police officer Amarendra Debbarma told The Hindu on Wednesday.
The gun that was positioned in reverse order was a wood made perfect replica of a self loading rifle (SLR) – a weapon extensively used in ground battle with Pakistanis in 1971. On its top was an iron helmet which is also missing.
Most of battles to liberate Bangladesh were fought from Tripura side. The planks in war memorial bear name of scores of heroes including Lance Naik Albert Ekka of Guards Regiment who was posthumously awarded Param Vir Chakra – India’s highest war time gallantry award.
Though the memorial stands on edge of Cantonment it is being maintained by the Agartala Municipal Corporation. An officer of the corporation said that no regular sentry for the memorial was arranged and miscreants are frequenting to the site.
