On March 31, 1971, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi moved a resolution in parliament strongly criticising the military action in Bangladesh.
At 4:00am on March 30, 1971, Bangladeshi forces, comprising East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police and civilians under the leadership of Abu Osman Chowdhury, then a major and commander of the fourth wing of EPR, attacked the Pakistan occupation army in Kushtia from three sides.
In the evening, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was flown via helicopter from the cantonment, where he was detained, to the Tejgaon Airport. Afterwards, he was flown to Karachi by a special military aircraft.
On March 28, 1971, American Consul General in Dhaka, Archer K Blood, sent a telegram to Islamabad and Washington captioned “selective genocide”. He reported that they were “mute and horrified by a reign of terror by the Pakistan military” in East Pakistan. Pointing towards various pieces of evidence, Blood suggested that Awami League supporters and Hindus were being systematically targeted by the martial law administrators.
American Consul General Archer K Blood in a situation report submitted on March 27, 1971, wrote that according to numerous accounts, including eye witness reports, the Pak military crackdown on Bangalee nationalists has been carried out throughout Dacca swiftly, efficiently (despite heavy resistance from some quarters, including pro-Awami League police and East Pak Rifles), and often with ruthless brutality.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a press statement issued today, called for a general strike throughout Bangladesh on March 27 against the army’s action in certain places in East Pakistan including Saidpur, Rangpur and Joydevpur.
There was a final meeting between Awami League’s team and Yahya’s advisers on March 24, 1971, at 6:00pm.
The representatives of president Yahya Khan and an Awami League team met twice today.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) accused Pakistan of diverting boats and vehicles intended for carrying relief materials for military use. In a formal note to the UN Secretary General U Thant, the FAO brought this charge against Pakistan.
The Bangladesh government issued an order asking all East Bengali diplomats abroad to either opt for Bangladesh within a fortnight or face condemnation as traitors to the cause of Bangladesh.
Pakistan President Yahya Khan flew to Tehran today for a two-day visit, and was met at the Airport by the Shah of Iran. Informed sources said the two leaders were expected to discuss the Bangladesh crisis.
The Pakistan Ambassador to the Philippines Khurram Panni today defected to the Bangladesh government. Khurram Panni, 49, was the first diplomat of ambassadorial rank to defect to the Bangladesh cause. He came to Manila as ambassador in March, 1970 and his tenure of duty was not scheduled to end until late in October, 1971.
On the occasion of the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of monarchy in Iran, there rose a possibility that the Shah of Persia would try to bring about a rapprochement on Bangladesh between India and Pakistan with blessings from the Nixon
Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed would present the case of Bangladesh before the UN General Assembly.
The Bangladesh government decided to send a delegation to the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly.
A broad democratic front comprising the five main political parties of Bangladesh was formed today to conduct the liberation struggle. A consultative committee of eight members was set up to advise the Bangladesh government and to issue guidelines to the Mukti Bahini.
India had opened a meaningful dialogue with China and the USA, as with many other countries, on the Bangladesh issue. Some significant developments were expected soon after Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s visit to the USA.
The Government of Bangladesh wants to send a delegation to the UN General Assembly session in New York which is due to begin on September 21. Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Mahbub Alam discussed such a proposal today with the officials of the Indian external affairs ministry.
