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.
A big group of volunteers belonging to Concern, a relief organisation of Ireland, who are now working in Bangladesh calls on Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Gono Bhaban today to convey New Year’s greeting to him.
Abbe Pierre, world renowned philanthropist and chief patron of the United Towns Organisation of Europe, calls on Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Gono Bhaban today and discusses with him his committee’s Town Twining Programme in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman once again asks Pakistan President ZA Bhutto to stop bargaining with the fate of four lakh Bangalees stranded in Pakistan. “Despite Bhutto’s shouting, Pakistani war criminals will be tried on the soil of Bangladesh if I am alive,” the prime minister says.
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman reiterates his firm determination to deal with miscreants and other anti-social elements with a firm hand and warns them once again that his government would not allow a handful of armed miscreants to play with the lives and security of the 75 million peace-loving people of the country.
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today makes a fervent appeal to all to work for the establishment of a happy and exploitation-free society on the ashes left by the enemy.
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is garlanded today by the members of Kalyani, Gandaria ladies organisation, on his being awarded the Juliot Curie medal for peace. Members of Khulna Music College also garland him.
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman renews his call today to all irrespective of their ideological or political affiliations to dedicate themselves to the great task of rebuilding the country into a truly Shonar Bangla drawing inspiration from the sacrifice of the martyrs of the Liberation Struggle.
R.R. Cunninghame, high commissioner of New Zealand in Bangladesh, calls on Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Gono
Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today expresses his confidence that the bond and deep understanding that exist between Bangladesh and the Soviet Union will grow stronger in the years to come.
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman acknowledges the highest sense of patriotism and sacrifice of the officials who helped run the provisional government from Mujibnagar.
