December 17, 1971
- Temporary President Syed Nazrul Islam says, “This is the time to work as post-war reconstructive government.” He also says that Bangladesh government had started preparing the new constitution and an election might be held by mid 1972.
- A dozen of experienced administrators, led by Ruhul Kuddus, one of the prime accused of Agartala conspiracy proceedings, commence a civil administration in Dhaka.
- Within 2:30pm, the western front of Indo-Pakistan war is over. President Yahya Khan accepts India’s unilateral truce proposal.A statistics says that India destroyed 94 Pakistani fighter jets, 214 tanks and 22 navy vessels during the two week two hour long war.
- Former governor Dr Malik takes shelter in the Hotel Intercontinental, a neutral area. Bangladeshi guerrillas demand him to be handed over to their hands. But India refuses.
- Chinese PM Zhou Enlai criticises Soviet Union for supporting Indian ‘aggression’ during a diplomatic party in Peking. Soviet envoy leave the party protesting the Chinese premier’s opinion.
- Hundreds of molten bodies and skeletons found in the Mirpur killing ground. Among those martyrs lied many finest scholars and intellectuals of Bangladesh.
Source: Bangladesh Liberation War Museum