DHAKA, Aug 25, 2020 (BSS) – Tributes and condolences continue to pour in for Chitta Ranjan Datta, widely known as CR Dutta, Bir Uttam, who passed away today in the USA at the age of 93.
Immediately after his demise, people from all walks of life as well as different political parties and leaders expressed their shock and sent condolences.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of CR Dutta, commander of sector no. four during the Liberation War.
In a message of condolence, the premier said, “The country as well as the nation will remember his outstanding contribution to the Liberation War with due respect.”
She prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
In a separate condolence message, the President recalled with due respect the outstanding contribution of the Liberation War hero and said, “The nation will remember CR Dutta, Bir Uttam forever.”
Besides, in separate condolence messages, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Advocate Md Fazle Rabbi Miah, Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury condoled the death of war hero CR Dutta.
A number of cabinet members also expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the veteran army officer.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar, Health Minister Zahid Maleque, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali, Youth and Sports State Minister Md Zahid Ahsan Rusell, Public Administration State Minister Forhad Hossain, LGRD State Minister Swapan Bhattacharya, Cultural Affairs State Minister KM Khalid, Information State Minister Dr Murad Hasan and Labor and Employment State Minister Begum Monnujan Sufian also expressed deep shock and sorrow in separate condolence messages, at the death of CR Dutta.
In different condolence messages, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam also condoled the death of the veteran war hero.
Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament GM Quader and Awami League presidium member Amir Hossain Amu also expressed grief and prayed for the eternal peace of the soul of the deceased.
Bir Uttam CR Dutta was the founder Director General of the then Bangladesh Rifles, which is now called Border Guard Bangladesh, Former Chairman of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Welfare Trust and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation and Founder President of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.
He joined the Pakistan Army in 1951 and a few days later, he was commissioned as ‘second lieutenant’.
In 1971, Colonel MAG Osmani, the commander-in-chief of the Liberation War, appointed Dutta as the commander of Sector 4 and he was afterwards awarded the title of Bir Uttam for his valiant contribution to the great Liberation War.
He made important contributions after being appointed as Brigade Commander in Rangpur in 1972.
In 1973, the government felt the need to form a border guard force for independent Bangladesh and gave the responsibility to him in this regard.