Bangladesh Minister nails Pak lie
MUJIBNAGAR, JUNE 24- Sources close to the Bangladesh Government today described as a “blatant lie” the statement reportedly made by the Martial Law authorities in Dacca that they were in touch with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister, Mr. Khandakar Mustaque Ahmed, says UNI.
There has been absolutely no contact, the sources said. The statement was intended as a trap but Pakistan itself would be caught in it, they added.
An AP report from Dacca early this morning had quoted “informed Pakistani Government sources” as saying that “Martial Law authorities have been in contact with Mr. Khondkar Mushtaque Ahmed, Vice-President of the Banned AwamiLeague and the officially designated Foreign Minister of the secessionist Bangladesh Government.”
The report added: “Maj Gen Rao Farman Khan, Head of Civil Affairs for the Provincial Military Government under the Governor. Lt-Gen. Tikka Khan, said at a news conference he would not be surprised if contact had taken place but refused to give details.”
“Sources said the disclosure was the first indication that the military regime was in contact with secessionists it had declared traitors.”
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 25.06.1971