The country will win over evil forces as long as the leadership of Sheikh Hasina- led government remains in power, observed speakers at a seminar at Liberation War Museum in the capital yesterday. Sectors Commanders Forum (SCF) organised the seminar ahead of the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Major General (Retd) KM Shafiullah (Bir Uttam) said, “The existence of Bangladesh that we see today would have not been possible, had not the neighbouring country India extended help. At the beginning of the Liberation War, we were confused whether India would help us or not.
I asked one of my co-fighters if they (India) would allow us to cross the border. The Indian people astonishingly welcomed us and fought shoulder to shoulder for our independence.
“After the independence, the then prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi, came to Bangladesh and took back their troops to their country,” he said.
“We expect true friendship between both the countries in political and social arenas,” he also said.
Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, after the independence, the freedom fighters did not dare to introduce themselves as freedom fighters for the fear of the anti-liberation forces. “Now, we are heading towards a co-operative society,” he added.  
Harun Habib, acting secretary general of the forum, presented the keynote paper.
M Harun-Ar-Rashid, former secretary of the Sector Commanders' Forum, Mofidul Haque, Dr Abu Mohammad Delowar Hossain, chairman of the International Relations Department of Dhaka University, ASM Shamsul Arefin, Major Gen Mohammad Ali Sikder, columnist and security analyst, Muhammad Safiqur Rahman, senior journalist and president of National Press Club, and columnist Mohammad Abdul Hye, were also present at the programme.