Northeast Marks the 53rd Commemoration of 'Vijay Diwas'
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Agartala/Imphal/Aizawl, Dec 16 (NationPress) Numerous northeastern state governments, alongside the Army and other organizations, celebrated the 53rd anniversary of 'Vijay Diwas' on Monday, hosting wreath-laying ceremonies and various events at war memorials and other sites.
On December 16, 1971, at Ramna Race Course, now known as Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, Lt. Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora, commanding the Allied Forces (which included Indian troops and the Mukti Bahini), accepted the surrender of the chief of the Pakistan Forces, Lt. Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 Pakistani soldiers. This significant triumph in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 resulted in the liberation of East Pakistan, which subsequently became the independent nation of Bangladesh. To honor this historic achievement, Vijay Diwas is celebrated annually on December 16 throughout India and Bangladesh, paying tribute to the sacrifices and bravery of those who fought in the conflict.
To commemorate Vijay Diwas, the Army and Assam Rifles organized a series of events in Tripura, a state that played a crucial role during the 1971 war, serving as a launching pad for major offensive campaigns and operations during the Liberation War, supported by the local populace.
A series of events took place at the renowned Albert Ekka War Memorial located on the outskirts of Agartala, where the atmosphere was filled with patriotism as the nation honored the courageous soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.
The centerpiece of this solemn occasion was a moving wreath-laying ceremony led by Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu. The commander of the Red Shield Division, along with other senior Army officials, also attended the ceremony, which stood as a powerful reminder of the gallant soldiers' sacrifices.
In Mizoram, as part of the nationwide observance of India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, the state commemorated Vijay Diwas at the War Memorial situated at Treasury Square in Aizawl. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati led the floral tributes to pay homage and respect to the brave soldiers who gave their lives for the nation. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Home Minister K. Sapdanga, Lt. Col. Clement Lalhmingthanga (retd), along with numerous other Army and civil officials, followed the Governor in laying wreaths at the memorial.
In Manipur, the primary event for Vijay Diwas was held at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall in Imphal, where Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Forest Minister Biswajit Singh, and officials paid floral tributes to the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 1971 war.
The commemoration was also observed in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and other regions of northeastern India.
Security analyst Manas Paul stated: "The 1971 war included two major operations—Operation 'Cactus Lily' and Operation 'Nut Cracker'—with the 57 Mountain Division actively participating in both, supported by the firepower of the 57 Mountain Artillery Brigade. Both operations advanced from Agartala westward toward Dhaka, culminating on December 16, 1971, with the unconditional surrender of the Pakistani forces."
