Standing by the people, armed forces became symbol of confidence: CA Yunus

The armed forces have been recognised as a symbol of confidence as they choose to stand beside the people of the country, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said today (21 November).

"In the recent Anti-discrimination Movement and post-movement, the armed forces stood beside the people. By standing by the students and general people, the armed forces have been recognised again as a symbol of confidence to the people of the country," he said at the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja, reports BSS.

Earlier in the morning, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the Shikha Anirban in the Dhaka Cantonment.

Joining the reception at Senakunja, Prof Yunus also recalled the contribution of the armed forces. "Since the independence of the country, the armed forces have been working and standing by the people in nation-building and tackling disasters alongside protecting the country's independence and sovereignty."

He said on 21 November 1971, the members of the armed forces and commoners of Bangladesh jointly launched a coordinated attack against the Pakistani occupation forces.

So, he said, the day is being observed as a milestone of the Liberation War.

The chief adviser said the armed forces emerged during the war in 1971, while the members of the army, navy and air forces along with ordinary people carried out attacks on the Pakistani forces.

The armed forces provided guerrilla training to freedom fighters during the liberation war too, he added.

"On this special occasion, I deeply recall the martyrs of the liberation war and all valiant freedom fighters, including the wounded ones," he said.

The chief adviser also remembered all the martyrs and injured ones in the July-August revolution whose self-sacrifice created a new scope to rebuild the country, saying the nation will remember their sacrifice with respect forever.