Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman offering prayers at the mass grave at Jhalokati on December 3, 1972.

December 3, 1972         

PRESIDENT ASSURES ALL COOPERATION TO INDIA

President Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury today says that the new nation Bangladesh would extend full cooperation to India for establishment of durable peace in the subcontinent to make it an abode of peace. Speaking at a civic reception given in his honour by the sheriff of Calcutta, President Chowdhury says Bangladesh is following a policy of non-alignment to have friendship with all countries of the world and help establishment of peace in the subcontinent.

He further says Bangladesh is also ready to cooperate with Pakistan for the cause of peace in the subcontinent. He, however, regrets that no response has yet been received from Pakistan for establishment of peace in the region. He refers to five lakh Bangalees kept interned in Pakistan and her role in debarring Bangladesh from entry into the United Nations.

BANGABANDHU OFFERS PRAYERS AT MASS GRAVE

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today offers prayers at the mass grave by the riverside in Jhalakati where skeletons of hundreds of people killed by the Pakistani army have been accumulated. The prime minister asks local leaders to send the skeletons of the dead heroes to the National Museum now under construction at Savar near Dhaka.

The prime minister is expected to return to Dhaka tomorrow morning after completing his four-day official tour of coastal areas.

NAP(B) DEMANDS INTERIM GOVT BEFORE POLLS

The conference of National Awami Party (Bhashani) today demands the dissolution of the present government three months before the forthcoming elections and formation of an all-party interim government to conduct a free and fair election in the country. 

SOURCES: December 4, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq