Balurghat, Aug. 2: Jail minister and local MLA Biswanath Chowdhury has approached defence minister Pranab Mukherjee for renovation and maintenance of two martyr’s columns erected at Hili, close to the Indo-Bangla border, after the Bangladesh War in 1971.

Chowdhury has also written to the Union minister to beautify and protect a Pakistani tank captured during the war. The tank adorns the entrance of Balurghat town.

At least 10 officers and 400 soldiers of the Indian Army died at Hili border in the 1971 war. Former-servicemen from South Dinajpur district had erected the martyr’s column in memory of their colleagues. On July 17, 2002, the Indian army added another column.

The war began on November 24, 1971, and continued till December 11. Every year, on Martyr’s Day, programmes are organised to pay homage to the men who died in the war. But for the rest of the year, these columns are neglected.

Chowdhury has urged Mukherjee to arrange for proper maintenance of the columns. He has also requested him to build an army museum in this border town.

The Balurghat Municipality has erected a fence around the tank. But Chowdhury wants the defence ministry to build a gate as a mark of recognition of the “great capture”.

“We have been honouring the tank as a memory of the heroes of the war. It did not occur to do something more about it. It is a welcome move taken up by Chowdhury to give the place a fresh look,” chairperson of the municipality Sucheta Biswas said.