Tripura CM urges Bangladesh for seaport use

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has urged Bangladesh to allow the northeastern states of India to use Chittagong seaport. He was speaking at the inauguration of an Indo-Bangladesh Friendship Park at Chottakhola in Tripura on Saturday, reports First Post. In his address, Sarkar urged the government of Bangladesh to set aside any unsettled trade or any other issues between India and Bangladesh and move forward with the aim to openly share Chittagong port with northeastern states of India. The inauguration ceremony was held at a border village, 132km from Agartala, which in the past acted as a guerrilla camp during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. The memorial and park took eight years to construct, standing over an area of over 20 hectares, comprised of valleys and plains and located on the eastern borders of Bangladesh. The total cost of the project is approximately $1 million. Sarkar said the Congress government in Tripura led by former Chief Minister Sachindralal Singh had played a significant role in providing shelter for the thousands of refugees who fled the war in 1971. He also said that for the economic development of India's northeastern states, connectivity via rail, road, air, water and telecommunication between India and Bangladesh must be further strengthened. Tripura Health and PWD Minister Badal Choudhury also attended the inauguration and said India wants more closeness with its best neighbour, Bangladesh. "During the nine-month-long Liberation War, Tripura played a crucial role as the state's location was strategically vital. Dhaka is just 135km from Tripura and many important cities are close to Tripura borders," Badal said, who also took part in providing relief to the then Bangladeshi refugees.