Belonia, Dec 7 (TIWN): Indo-Bangla Maitri Park at Chottakhola in Belonia sub-division will be inaugurated on 16th Dec. Chottakhola Park is all set ready to welcome Bangladesh Premier.

The then foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dipu Moni, who laid the foundation of a Liberation War memorial and a commemorative park here at Chottakhola under Rajnagar RD Block is now turn into a new shape and  would be a source of inspiration for the freedom lovers of the world.“On full completion of the project, this tiny Chottakhola will be a place of inspiration for the freedom loving people of the world,” she said while addressing a huge gathering at Chottakhola, a border village at Rajanagar under Belonia of South Tripura.

Chottakhola, 130 kilometres from Tripura's capital Agartala, had functioned as one of the 11 warfront-camps in Tripura in 1971. Dipu Moni also said people of Bangladesh would never forget contribution of India, especially of Tripura, in the Liberation War."The people of India extended their support to the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Freedom fighters of our country and Indian soldiers fought together to free the country from Pakistani occupation forces,” she added.“The history and culture of both Bangladesh and India have been guiding us to go together, work together and solve all outstanding issues mutually,” said the foreign minister.
Tripura Rural Development, Commerce and Forest Minister Jitendra Chaudhury and Finance Minister Badal Chaudhury were also accompanied her during her visit.

After laying the foundation stone of the Bharat-Bangladesh Maitree Udyan (India-Bangladesh Friendship Park) Dipu Moni said Chottakhola was one of the base camps of Muktijoddhas [Bangladeshi freedom fighters] from where they launched guerrilla warfare against the Pakistani army in Chittagong, Comilla and greater Noakhali.She said the memorial would help next generations of Bangladesh know their independence history and how the two friendly neighbors helped each other for the country's liberation.

Located near the international border, the Maitree Udyan is a park being built at Chottakhola as a tribute to Indian soldiers and Bangladeshi freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War.The park, being built by Tripura government, will also have a statue of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of the country's independence.