The head of the Turkish Cypriot Fighters’ Association Yılmaz Bora issued two separate messages on Sunday, the first to commemorate the five heroes who died 58 years ago while defending the village of Arpalık and the second to remember Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu on the 42nd anniversary of his death.
The five martyrs in Arpalık were killed 58 years ago on February 6 1964 while trying to defend their village against Greek Cypriot attacks launched as part of the Akritas plan which aimed to cleanse the island of Turkish existence.
Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu, a leading figure in the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ struggle for existence was also remembered on the 42nd anniversary of his death.
Bora in his message said the late Nalbantoğlu was a true patriot, courageous, honest, hard-working and dedicated.
Nalbantoğlu who is best known for creating the country’s health infrastructure had passed away on February 6 1980 from a stroke.
The main state hospital in Lefkoşa is named after the late Nalbantoğlu who had personally overseen the construction of the hospital building.