CR Dutta given a fitting farewell
The funeral of Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta, Bir Uttam was held with state honour yesterday.
The cremation of CR Dutta, commander of sector-4 during the country's Liberation War, was carried out at Sabujbag Crematorium following a gun salute by Bangladesh Army.
Earlier, Dutta's coffin wrapped in the national flag was taken to Dhakeshwari Temple where people from all walks of life paid their last tribute to the war hero.
He was given a guard of honour in the presence of Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam. Later, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs placed a wreath on the coffin.
Dutta's war-time fellows and former colleagues gathered to pay their last respects. People from different political parties and organisations also paid homage.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif paid tribute on behalf of his party.
Talking to journalists, Hanif said, "He [Dutta] was not only a freedom fighter but also an organiser of the Liberation War. He gave important direction at the crisis period of the country."
People will remember him forever for his brave role in the battle field, he added.
Maj Gen (retd) Chitta Ranjan Dutta, Bir Uttam, popularly known as CR Dutta, had been suffering from various old-age complications and passed away in the US on August 25 at the age of 93.
He was honoured with "Bir Uttam" title for his gallantry during the Liberation War.
He had been the founding president of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, a platform of different religious minority groups, until his death.
CR Dutta's coffin was kept at the mortuary of the Combined Military Hospital after it had arrived in Dhaka on August 31.
His two daughters and son also reached Dhaka by a Qatar Airways flight on Monday.
Talking to reporters, his son Chiranjit Dutta said, "He dreamed of a secular Bangladesh that nurtures communal harmony and worked throughout his life to ensure it. He had no regret but loved the country to the fullest."
"All his dreams were to ensure the development of Bangladesh," said Chayanika Dutta, one of his daughters.
Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Mohanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee placed wreaths on Dutta's coffin and paid their homage.
Other organisations who came to pay their tribute were Bangladesh Mohila Oikya Parishad, Hindu Dharmiyo Kalyan Trust, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote and Bangladesh Shikkhak Oikya Parishad.
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