Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman addressing the passing-out parade of the second batch or Rakkhi Bahini at Savar on December 6, 1972.

December 6, 1972

RAKKHI BAHINI ASKED TO COOPERATE WITH PEOPLE

Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman reiterates today that miscreants must be wiped out from the country, and corruption eradicated from society. Addressing the passing-out parade of the second batch Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini at the parade ground of the Bahini at Savar, Bangabandhu remarks that the nation, which lost almost everything, has only within 11 months since the liberation progressed a great extent towards a sound footing. He, however, regrets that some miscreants who are still in possession of illegal arms and ammunition are committing robberies in villages. Observing that the people want to sleep in peace, he asserts that the miscreants must be rooted out.

The prime minister painfully notes that while the country is passing through great hardship and lakhs of people are going hungry some evil elements are indulging in corruption and bribery. He cautions them that they would be wrong to think that "we are weak". Corruption and bribery must be banished from society, he adds.

Bangabandhu advises the Rakkhi Bahini to always cultivate the cooperation of the people. People's cooperation is essential for maintaining law and order. The Army, BDR, Police and Rakkhi Bahini can't alone establish law and order, he adds. 

WALDHEIM REPLIES TO MUJIB'S REQUEST

UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim has replied in positive to a request by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the continuation of UN aid beyond March, 1973. The UN has already coordinated for Bangladesh the largest international aid programme in history. 

SOURCES: December 7, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.