Morning News
21st February 1969
Thousands rush to Airport Road: Rumours About Mujib’s release
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE YESTERDAY EVENING LINED UP ON THE AIRPORT ROAD RIGHT FROM KAWRANBAZAR TO THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CANTONMENT ROAD NEAR THE PIA FLIGHT KITCHEN, REPORTS PPI.
Scores of Processions from different parts of the city and the educational institutions including university halls came out and rushed towards the Cantonment.
People came out of their houses to the roadside as reports went round that the detained Awami League chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released. These reports coincided with the withdrawal of curfew and section 144 from the city.
Transport came to standstill as the massive processions jammed the entire Airport Road. The processionists were, however, not allowed to move beyond the airport by a contingent of army. The processionists were advised not to proceed further by the forces on duty.
For about an hour late in the evening the processionists waited and raised slogans of “Sheikh Mujib Zindabad” and “Six-Point Zindabad”. “We have brought him from Cantonment,” The processionists and thousand others were in a jubilant mood and carried garlands and bougets of flowers. They also fired crackers. The atmosphere was visibly changed from that of panic which prevailed earlier during the day to a mood of festivity.
Finally when they came to know that Sheikh had yet not been released they Started returning to the city. Many processions had also marched to Sheikh’s Dhanmandi residence where thousands had collected awaiting his arrival.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯