Yahya’s Limited amnesty offer
ISLAMABAD. SEPT 54 President Yahya Khan of Pakistan today granted amnesty to all persons accused to anti-State activities in Bangladesh war except for those already charged , says UPI.
The announcement was made in an official communique issued from the President’s Secretarial.
It said general amnesty was effective immediately to those who committed offences during disturbances in Bangladesh between March I and September 5. but that amnesty would not apply to certain categories including some politicians.
Officials said the Awami League Leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, now on trial by a military tribunal in West Pakistan for waging war against the State, was not included in the amnesty order.
The communiqué said the ammesty order does not apply to members of the National assembly and Provincial Assembly of the eastern wing and to a certain” limited number individuals against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated.”
It said these persons have been afforded “sufficient opportunity” to clear themselves of charge before courts set up for this purpose.
The communique said the amnesty order would include “police, local militia forces (Mujahids and Ansars), personal of the armed forces, and members of the East Pakistan Rifles, many of whom took a leading part in the fighting when the separatist rebellion broke out in Dacca in March and spread throughout the province,”
The communique said the order of general amnesty “marks another step forward in the President’s resolve to restore full Normality in the country.
“It is hoped that the grant of general amnesty by the President in pursuance of his policy of national conciliation will remove all manner of doubt fear and anxiety from minds of these who may have committed offences (during the conflict).
“All such persons irrespective of religion caste or creed are now free to come forward if they are within the country and if outside, to return their families and resume their normal vocations,” the communiqué said,
A UNI reports from New Delhi adds: The Pakistan Government has amended the procedure for the grant of nationality certificates making it more stringent to obtain citizenship reports the Hurriyet, Karachi.
According to the revised procedure fresh immigrants will be required to obtain prior clearance from the provincial. Home Department’s before the application is considered by the Central Government…
An AP report from Dacca adds: The general amnesty ordered by President Yahya Khan to start today was aimed at Bangladesh military and paramilitary forces who had fled to India or gone underground.
It is also meant to reassure Awami League leaders already cleared by the Army who have not returned. Military regime sources said.
The Army had tried to assure forces and politicians at three times to retum, but few did so.
The day before Dr. A. M. Malik took over as the new Governor of East Bengal Civil Service for crimes.
More than 50 others have been announced publicly as facing trial.
According to informed sources the Army has released Mr. Alamgir Rahman managing director of East Bengal Esso. The largest Americanbased company there. Officials sources, however, did not confirm the report.
The American Embassy had expressed concern over the arrest of Mr. Rahman last April. He was close to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He was released before the announcement of a general amnesty by President Yahya Khan last night.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 6.9.1971