Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh today said that freedom struggle has produced patriots who laid down their lives for the integrity and sovereignty of the country, adding that security forces played a vital role in defending the frontiers of great India.The Minister was addressing Shaheedi Divas function, observed at Jandi in Hiranagar in memory of martyrs of Shakargarh who laid down their lives in 1971 at Amoru Chak while fighting the enemies.MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Raj besides large number of people of Hiranagar were present on the occasion and paid rich tributes to the Shaheeds of 1971 at newly constructed Shaheed Smarak at Jandi village in Hiranagar.Paying rich tributes to the martyr, Choudhary Lal Singh said that our forces made supreme sacrifices while taking on anti-national elements which cannot be ignored. He said, they fought with bravery and strived for maintaining sanctity and honour of the country at the cost of their life. He said that different wings of security forces have a glorious past in guarding the borders and they have been fighting the enemies of nation at the time of any eventuality.Responding to various demands of local people, the Minister directed the concerned officers to mitigate the problems of the people on priority. He directed the Divisional Forest Officer to plant saplings of different varieties in and around the premises of the Shaheed Samark at Jandi in Hiranagar.