MC fails in upkeep, army takes away ’71 war Patton tank from park in Gurdaspur

A Patton tank of Pakistan army captured in the 1971 war and installed as a ‘victory trophy’ at Nehru Park here, has been taken away by the army to Khemkaran as the municipal council authorities failed to maintain it well.

The municipal council had decided to turn Nehru Park into a car parking over a year ago. The Patton tank had sunk into the ground and it was in a pathetic state. The municipal council withdrew the car parking move after opposition from various quarters.

Armymen removing a Patton tank from Nehru Park in Gurdaspur. (HT Photo)

Local MLA Gurbachan Singh Babbehali pushed for turning the park into a parking lot as it was close to the main markets of the town. Now, the park will be converted into a parking lot.

The Punjab government had decided to set up a ‘shaheedi samarak’ in memory of 1965 Indo-Pak war hero Abdul Hamid at his native village, Asal Uttar in Khemkaran. The authorities decided to take the said tank there.

Parts of the Patton tank when it was being taken away from Nehru Park in Gurdaspur.

Armymen removing a Patton tank from Nehru Park in Gurdaspur.

PPCC general secretary Raman Bahl, who was president of Gurdaspur municipal council from 1992 to 97 and 2002 to 07, condemned the municipal council authorities for not taking proper care of the ‘victory trophy’.