Joi Bangla The Bloody Birth of Freedom for Bangladesh Jay Walsh

Joi Bangla The Bloody Birth of Freedom for Bangladesh Jay Walsh

R.N. New York Methodist Hospital
B.S. Cedarville College L.H.D. Grand Rapids Baptist College (Cornerstone University)
Chapter One
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am the American Expatriate who wrote this book. No doubt, you will have questions: How did you come to Bangladesh? Where did you live? What were you doing here?
Here is a synopsis of my background. I was born on June 10, 1932, and raised in the Upper Peninsula of the State of Michigan, USA. We were a poor family scratching out a living with miscellaneous jobs, including cutting trees (logging) in the forest. One day a Pastor visited our one-room log home and invited us, a family of four children, to attend a new church he was starting in the neighborhood. My mother agreed for us to attend. For the very first time I heard preaching about God’s love for sinners and His provision to save them through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary. In time, I made my decision to become a Christian and to live for Christ. Several years later, at another meeting in that same church, I responded to an invitation to be willing to go anywhere in the world to serve as a missionary should God so lead. I then proceeded with getting a college and seminary education. After five years of training I became a Pastor.
I married my wife, Eleanor, in 1954. A year later, at a church we had started in Lakeview, Michigan, I invited a guest missionary speaker to share his message with our people in Lakeview. He talked about the medical needs in East Pakistan and of the needy illiterate tribal people living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He challenged us to think about working in East Pakistan. Slowly, God’s plan for our lives took shape. In October 1958, my wife and I were appointed by the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) to serve as missionaries in East Pakistan.
On January 29, 1960, after a year of preparation (raising funds and packing), we boarded the Greek freighter Hellenic Splendor in Brooklyn, New York, harbor. It was destined for Chittagong, East Pakistan. We arrived in Chittagong 48 days later, on March 17, 1960. We had read much about our adopted land (then called East Pakistan), but now we would experience it!
The Muslim nation of Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947 and formed with two separate wings where majority Muslim populations lived. West Pakistan was on the Western side of India and East Pakistan was on the Eastern side with a thousand miles of Indian territory between. This unusual political decision of forming one nation in two widely separate areas of the Indian sub-continent would, sooner or later, lead to political unrest and result in the birth of Bangladesh.
My wife and I served as missionaries in the Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar Districts of East Pakistan
celebrated the birth of Bangladesh with the people at a flag raising ceremony in front of our hospital. Joi Bangla!
from 1960 to1994, when we retired. During our time in Bangladesh, we built the Memorial Christian Hospital near the village of Dulahazara. Our desire was to meet the medical needs of the poor people living in that area.
After our arrival in East Pakistan in 1960 we faced the challenge of learning Bangla, the beautiful language of the Bengali people. For me, learning vocabulary was not too difficult, but pronouncing the words and speaking with fluency was a big challenge. “Why is it, I asked my language teacher, that children learn the Bengali language more quickly than we adults?” He replied, “Adults have hard tongues but children don’t.”
Along with my wife, Eleanor, and seven children, we spent most of our years in Bangladesh living at the site of the Memorial Christian Hospital, located at Malumghat, about one mile north of Dulahazara in the Cox’s Bazar District. There, I helped with the building of the hospital. I served as supervisor of many of the hospital building projects. Later, and for many years, I served as Chairman of our Mission, the Association of Baptists, and as Chairman of our Tribal Committee.
American doctor, Viggo Olsen, had the vision of building a hospital in the southern end of Bangladesh. Before he and his family came to Bangladesh as medical missionaries, I corresponded with him as to where we might locate the hospital. I felt it should be located somewhere near the Matamuhuri River where it crosses the Cox’s Bazar highway, thus making it available not only to the local Bengali population, but also for the tribal people living in the hills. If we located it in the city of Chittagong or the southern town of Cox’s Bazar, we would be in competition with the medical facilities that existed in those cities, something we didn’t want to do.
Our first plan for a building site was to purchase private land along the highway a bit north of the Matamuhuri River. However, we had to cancel that plan when we saw that monsoon rains had flooded that site. To obtain suitable land for building the hospital, we then turned to the government for help. Qazi Jalal Ahmed, the Chittagong District Commissioner (DC) at that time, worked with us to locate a 60-acre site in the forest area south of the village of Cheringa. The Forest Department surveyed that site and when we were ready to take possession, Monem Khan, Governor of East Pakistan, decided to cancel that plan. Dr. Olsen and I then met with the Governor in his Dacca office. He reluctantly agreed for us to build our hospital on 25 acres of forest land near Dulahazara, on the west side of the Cox’s Bazar highway near a place called Malumghat. The Forest Rangers surveyed 16 acres along the highway for the hospital building complex and 9 acres along the Malumghat canal for staff housing. These two pieces of land would be accessible by a connector road. The hospital was built and opened for service on March 26, 1966. I recorded the following in my diary, “Today we dedicated the hospital and staff to the Lord. Many people came from Chittagong to attend the service. The hospital builder, Mr. Tom McDonald, and I gave welcome speeches and prayers both in English and Bengali.”
I have kept diaries (journals) for every year of my life since January 1, 1959. In my 1970 and 1971 journals, I recorded, on a day-by-day basis, the story of the defeat of West Pakistan’s military government led by Yahya Khan and the birth of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971. After a year of struggle, we
Chapter Two
A PRELUDE TO WAR
The following story explains why I have written An American Expatriate Shouts Joi Bangla! In addition to the direct quotes from my diaries, I have added information from miscellaneous news clippings and correspondence I had with my parents in America.
On September 23, 1970, West Pakistan’s President Yahya Khan made a visit to East Pakistan and was given the “red carpet” treatment. He had been inaugurated President on March 25, 1969, after the former president, Ayub Khan, stepped down. One month earlier, February 21,1969, students in East Pakistan had celebrated Martyr’s Day. That is the day when the country pays tribute to the students who were killed by Pakistani police in 1952. The students wanted to preserve use of their mother tongue, Bangla, and not Urdu, the West Pakistan language. Their Martyr’s Day demands and demonstrations began to stir anew a national desire for political independence from West Pakistan. Ironically, on this visit, President Yahya Khan had hoped to calm the Bengali political unrest and growing resentment against West Pakistan’s rule. The language issue was the basic reason for the eventual rebellion that ended in the birth of Bangladesh.
November 12, 1970 In late October and early November 1970, East Pakistan was hit by a super cyclone named Bhola. From my home at Malumghat, I recorded the following in my diary:
The weather has changed. Tonight we have high winds and rain. Cyclone signal # 9 has been raised. Several days ago, the wind started blowing and it looked like we were in for a big storm. Last night the wind blew all night.
November 13, 1970 The cyclone blew itself out by 7 a.m. this morning. Our garden was damaged. We heard that Chittagong had suffered quite a bit of damage and that the Patenga airport was under water. We didn’t learn until later just how devastating this cyclone was.
November 26, 1970 Today we heard a remarkable story. A Russian ship picked up a family of four people floating on the backs of two dead water buffalo 50 miles out in the Bay of Bengal. Floating bodies have been spotted as far as 100 miles out in the Bay!
Bhola was a category 3 cyclone that flooded the densely populated, low lying plains of the Ganges delta
as it flows through East Pakistan. It wiped out hundreds of coastal villages overnight. Estimates have it that more than 500,000 people died, although the true death toll may never be known. A report said that the cyclone battered a 250 mile stretch of the coast line for six hours with 150 mph winds and tidal waves up to 30 feet high. The government of President Yahya Khan, based in Islamabad, was criticized by both the Awami League in Dacca and by foreign leaders for its slow response at providing relief for the Bhola cyclone victims. No doubt the cyclone played a role in leading to the independence movement of Bangladesh from its West Pakistan rulers.
George Harrison, one of the famous Beatles, was inspired by the Bhola cyclone to initiate a benefit concert in New York City that was extremely successful in raising thousands of dollars to assist with the rescue efforts.
On hearing the news of the cyclone, Dr. Harold T. Commons, President of our Mission, The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, wrote: “The whole world has been flooded with news of what has been called the greatest natural disaster the world has ever seen. There is still no final official count of the dead in East Pakistan and possibly all we shall ever get are estimates which now reach as high as a half-million to a million. We feel relieved on hearing that all our personnel in East Pakistan are safe, yet greatly distressed, when stark tragedy has hurt so many others. We pray that our missionary personnel may be used of God in every way possible to minister to the needs, both physical and spiritual, of the people of East Pakistan in these sad days.”
I received a note from my missionary colleague, Reid Minich, who served with us in Chittagong, “The next few weeks in this country will be very important ones. On December 7, the voters will go to the polls and choose a President. We do not have the privilege of influencing that decision one way or another by casting a vote. However, we do have the far greater privilege and duty of upholding the country in prayer before our God at this crucial time. Let us be faithful and fervent in this matter.”
November 27, 1970 I wrote in my diary, Pakistan national elections are scheduled for December 7th. The Bengali people are fearful of what might happen. We missionaries have plans ready to evacuate in case we are asked to do so by our embassy officials in Dacca.
The Bengali people are fearful that if a representative of East Pakistan wins the most seats in the election, the dominant West Pakistani political leaders would turn violent in order to retain political control of both wings of the country. They were also fearful that if a West Pakistani won the election, the control and dominance of the West would grow stronger and make their lives even more unendurable. Never in the history of Pakistan had a Bengali been allowed to hold the office of President of the nation.
Chapter Three
THE HISTORIC ELECTION
December 7, 1970 Today Pakistanis go to the polls to elect a National Assembly. It looks as if it will go off pretty quietly. We are all anxious to learn the results. If the majority seats are won by the Bengali politicians, it could mean that the new president for all of Pakistan would be a Bengali.
might get East Pakistan’s first elected government. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a Bengali nationalist, is proAmerican and stands for religious freedom in the country. So we’ll wait and see how things develop!”
Since India’s partition in 1947, the East Pakistani people had lived under the heavy hand of the West Pakistan government. The victories won in the above election are the result of the Bengali people becoming more restless and active for political freedom and a nation of their own.
The West Pakistani people, physically larger and taller, are wheat-eating people. The East Pakistani people are physically smaller and a rice-eating people. West Pakistan’s land mass is three times larger than that of East Pakistan. However, their population is one-third the size of East Pakistan’s. Another divisive issue, the West Pakistanis spoke the Urdu language while the Bengalis spoke Bengali (Bangla).
To accommodate the fairness principal, The British in 1947 after forming one nation with two widely separated wings, decided that there should be two capital cities. They chose Islamabad in West Pakistan as the first capital and Dacca (later changed to Dhaka) in East Pakistan as the second capital. However, over time, the nation’s political power became centered in Islamabad. More often than not, political decisions affecting both wings of the country were made in Islamabad. This caused the Bengali people to feel the pressure of being dominated by the Western wing of the nation. Resentment toward West Pakistan first appeared in 1952, only five years after the country’s birth, when Bengali university students demonstrated against the Pakistan government demanding that Bengali, not Urdu, be kept as their mother language. Years later the General Conference of the United Nations proclaimed February 21 as International Mother Language Day.
December 8, 1970 The National elections were peacefully held with the Awami League winning the majority of seats in East Pakistan and the Peoples’ Party winning in West Pakistan. Election results so far look like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, representing the Awami League party, won in East Pakistan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, representing the People’s Party, won in the West.
Who is Sheikh Mujib? He was born March 17, 1920 in the Gopalganj District of Bangladesh. He started his political career as a student leader in the Awami League Party of East Pakistan. Even at this early stage of his life he was known as a charismatic and moving public speaker. He quickly gained popularity with the people by seeking equal treatment by West Pakistan instead of being discriminated against. He demanded that East Pakistan be given political autonomy. In 1968 he was arrested and tried for allegedly conspiring with the Indian Government against West Pakistan but was not found guilty. Back in Dacca he went on to win the 1970 elections by a landslide. He gained popularity with the Bengali people and became a big problem for the West Pakistan politicians. These events led to armed conflict and eventually to the birth of Bangladesh.
December 11, 1970 Sheikh Mujib came to Chittagong today to celebrate his victory in the recent elections. I wonder if he might now become a target for assassination.
December 18, 1970 The news is that the Awami League party won the majority of seats in the election. Joi Bangla!
December 27, 1970 I wrote a letter to my parents in the USA. “The elections went off really well here and it looks like we
Chapter Four
THE MILITARY CRACKDOWN BEGINS
It became my habit to go each morning to the roadside Bazar, in front of our hospital. I knew I could get the latest news of the political crisis going on in Dacca. Most of the news came by rumors, faster than phone or cable! The following bits of information and history I recorded in my diary until March 26, when the Bengali people gained independence as the new nation of Bangladesh.
January 1-6, 1971 This was a special week for us missionaries. We enjoyed a Bible Conference at Cox’s Bazar with Rev. Aslam Khan. He came from West Pakistan to share the Word of God with us. My wife wrote the following letter to her family in America: “We all went to Cox’s Bazar last Thursday for a 3-day retreat. Our group rented all eleven units of the beachside motel (eleven families, eleven singles, and two speakers). It was a lot of work to take bedding, food, dishes, etc., for ourselves and our guests. The adult speaker, Rev. Aslam Khan converted to Christ in 1921, came from West Pakistan. He had great stories to tell and was an inspiration to all of us. His sermons lasted about two hours, and nearly put some of us to sleep, but his life radiated the love of Christ. The teens enjoyed Peter Conlan from England as their speaker. His guitar playing, singing and storytelling was a hit with our children.
After the retreat, we returned to Malumghat to find our new stove and deep freezer had arrived from the USA! The freezer is a beauty and I can hardly wait to fill it. Our chickens are laying eggs every day and our garden is producing many vegetables. Thanks so much for your Christmas gifts and New Year cards.”
January 7. 1971 A mechanic from Society Auto came from Chittagong to work on my vehicle. After he left, I drove the Scout Jeep that I had purchased from another American, for the very first time. This is the vehicle that the local Awami Leaders wanted to use for their political work and which they ‘stole’ one night while we were sleeping!
Tonight, we held a Station Counsel meeting at which we decided to purchase 10 acres of land across from our hospital in the area known as Cha Bagan (tea garden). Mel Beals and I have plans to develop that land and make it available for Christian families to settle. Because this land was near a Muslim village, many Muslim families have slowly moved away or sold their property to other Christians. Little could we realize then that more than 100 Christian families would one day live in the Cha Bagan area!
January 8, 1971 The hospital Medical Committee met this afternoon and made the decision to build a school for hospital staff children, temporary staff quarters and to refurbish the hospital mess (staff eating area).
January 11, 1971 I wrote a letter to my parents today which they received on January 23, almost two weeks later. I recorded miscellaneous news items. Our son Douglas is working several days a week assisting in the hospital operation room with Dr. Vic Olsen.
Helen Miller, a former missionary in East Pakistan, and her twins, Vernon and Sharon, both seniors at the Murree Christian School are here visiting. They will be with us for a month. The twins will graduate next June. Linda is enjoying having Lynn Olsen home (from Murree for the holidays. Debbie and Nancy Olsen are the closest of friends. Phillip is everybody’s friend!
Next May the Olsens, Gurganuses, Eatons, Florence Theaker and Millie Coolie all go home on regular furloughs.
We are doing well. The kids are enjoying their holiday furlough. Give our greetings to our friends you meet. With love, your son Jay
January 15-21 1971 I spent much time this week with Oncherai Tripura studying my grammar book, looking for mistakes and revisions. One of my goals is to complete a Tripura dictionary and grammar to help in future Bible translation.
January and February were two months when we missionaries didn’t hear much about the political situation that was developing in Dacca. The country was quiet until we learned that political meetings were about to begin.
January 24 1971, I wrote to my parents today that we are building a physio-therapy room for the hospital. We have it partly done. Also, we will be building a bamboo school house for the national children living on the hospital compound. No doubt other children, relatives of our employees, will be enrolling too. We are still installing electric wiring around the property. It will be nice to have electricity.
Our 10-day short term Bible School was over last night. We had an average of 80 students each evening.
Oncherai Tripura was here for the Bible classes and I spent time each day with him correcting and working on a Tripura grammar which Lynn Silvernale and I completed. This will be the basis for new missionaries to use when learning the Tripura language.
My wife wrote to her family that she is having fun teaching a nurses’ aid course to five ladies and two men. She had to switch to two days as it is better to have a separate class for the men.
Today we heard that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a West Pakistani leader, was coming to Dacca for the National
inaugurated new martial law rules. He called off the National Assembly Meetings scheduled for tomorrow. The city of Dacca is paralyzed by a general strike and another is also scheduled for tomorrow. The possibility of the secession of East Pakistan from Pakistan is certainly possible now.
General nation-wide hartals (strikes) became common in Pakistan after Mahatma Gandhi introduced the concept in India. The object of a strike was to shut down the country and pressure the government to give in to the people’s demands.
March 3, 1971 Today the country is embroiled in a nation-wide strike. A group of students came to our hospital and shouted, “Close it, close it!” We told them it was not possible to close a hospital. They finally left. News is scattered but it appears that the Awami League is trying for a complete break with West Pakistan. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujib, is the leading political party in East Pakistan.
Assembly meetings scheduled on March 3rd. Mr. Bhutto was a Pakistan politician and statesman who served as the 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973-1977, and prior to that, as the fourth President from1971 to 1973.
January 31, 1971 My wife wrote, “Daniel Haq just came back to tell my husband that a man entered into his house this afternoon and pulled a pistol on him! He said the man would return tonight. Jay, away at the time, has gone to investigate. He was disgusted that Daniel had waited so long to tell him the story.”
I wrote to my folks, “By the time you receive this letter, the month of January will be history. We may have to come home a year early to get Douglas settled into college. Nothing is firm yet but just sharing our thinking anyway. Eleanor and I are planning a vacation in Thailand or Singapore in May, the Lord willing.”
February 15, 1971 While in Dacca this week, I went shopping in New Market and purchased a book about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I have heard his name so much lately that I needed to learn more about him.
This was the week that I was the best man at my friend, Shahabuddin Chowdhury’s wedding. I had the privilege interviewing the bride-to-be before he had met her!
February 21, 1971 Today is called Martyr’s Day in Bangladesh. On this day, the people honor the students who were killed by Pakistan police in 1952 because they wanted to preserve their mother tongue, Bangla, and not have to use Urdu, the West Pakistan language. There were many political parades around the country as the people were expressing their wishes for independence from West Pakistan.
February 28, 1971 I heard this morning that Mr. Ali Bhutto will come to the National Assembly meetings in Dacca scheduled for March 3.
The political situation is rough here with the possibility of riots and violence on the horizon. A new government is supposed to be formed within the next 120 days. There is every possibility that East and West Pakistan might split into two separate states with new governments. West Pakistan would be led by Mr. Ali Bhutto, a left leaning pro-Communist. East Pakistan would be headed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a pro-American Bengali who would push for land reforms and socialism. On March 3, the National Assembly meets in Dacca to begin to draw up a new constitution. At first Mr. Bhutto was refusing to come but later changed his mind. The question is whether or not these two leaders can agree on a constitution?
March 2, 1971 Yesterday Pakistan’s President Yahya Khan installed a new military governor for East Pakistan and
March 4, 1971 Several hundred people were reported killed in Chittagong yesterday. There are also reports of looting in Chittagong and Dacca. The Awami League leader, Sheikh Mujib, refuses to have a new Round Table Conference with the West Pakistani political leaders. With the secession movement gaining momentum, he didn’t want to take the chance that a compromise would be reached with the Pakistani government and delay the momentum for a possible secession from Pakistan.
Dr. Olsen went to Chittagong this afternoon to check on the air tickets for our children returning to their school in Murree, West Pakistan. They have been home with us on their winter vacation.
March 5, 1971 The country-wide strike is still on. There is no movement of traffic in the country, and nobody is attending their offices or businesses. Rumors say East Pakistan may become independent very soon. This afternoon (3 p.m.), radio news reports the Government of West Pakistan is flying in troops to put down the Dacca riots. Local plane flights are not moving anywhere in the country. All communications to the outside world have also been cut off. Tomorrow, President Yahya Khan will address the nation on the radio.
There can be no doubt that Yahya Khan’s goal is to crush the freedom movement of Bangladesh. Unfortunately, he has the support of President Nixon who he had helped earlier in renewing a new American relationship with China. President Nixon had decided that the past Chinese-American hostility had been a big mistake and that he has set out to restore good relations with Peking. This led him to have a close relationship with Pakistan’s military dictator, Yahya Khan, who would help him to open diplomatic doors to Peking. A warm friendship developed between the two leaders.
As early as August 1971, four months before the outbreak of fighting in East Pakistan, President Nixon told his foreign policy planners that he intended to back Yahya Khan in the East Pakistan situation. This news was the reason I eventually sent a personal letter to President Nixon explaining why I felt he was
making a mistake!
March 6, 1971 Today we heard President Yahya Khan speak to the nation in English. He reset the date for the National Assembly to meet on March 25. By doing this, he has to some degree, capitulated to Sheikh Mujib!
March 7, 1971 Sheikh Mujib announced today that he will not meet on the 25th unless his demands are met first. They are:
1) That martial law be lifted 2) That all military return to their barracks 3) That a commission of inquiry be formed to look into the recent killings in the country 4) And, that the government be turned over immediately to civilian rule
Yahya Khan reacted quickly and appointed Tikka Khan as the new Governor General and Chief Martial Law Administrator of East Pakistan. Bengali Freedom Fighters eventually gave him the nickname the Butcher of Bengal.”
Tikka Khan was a four-star general in the Pakistan army and served as the first Chief of Army Staff. In his new assignment, Tikka Khan was the highest authority in both the civil and military administrations of East Pakistan. The Pakistan military leaders were confident about Tikka Khan’s ability to violently suppress the Bengali nationalist movement. He proved this on March 25 and 26, 1971, by killing thousands of innocent Bengalis. No wonder he was nicknamed the Butcher of Bengal!
I called my Dulahazara friend, Momin Chowdhury (an influential member of the local elite), to ask his advice about the reports coming to us of a rumor that Awami League people might want to murder our two Pathan hospital guards. It was a common practice in Bangladesh for business people to hire tough Pathans to guard their properties. We had hired two. Most Pathans were from West Pakistan as were ours. We feared that the local Bengali people might rise up and want to kill them.
Momin also heard that disagreement has arisen in the Awami League that perhaps Sheikh Mujib has overstepped his bounds and may have committed political suicide!? Perhaps Tikka Khan would have him executed? I doubt this would happen.
Many hundreds of people were killed in two days of street fighting in both Chittagong and Dacca. The East Pakistanis hand fought with West Pakistan civilians, burned their homes and looted their shops. There is a strong hatred between the two peoples because the West Pakistanis control most of East Pakistan’s businesses. The years of exploitation have finally ended in East Pakistan’s new demand for autonomy.
separation from West Pakistan. He has totally defied President Yahya Khan in his speech of yesterday which was broadcast again this morning. All cars and trucks are now flying black protest flags. Even the shops in front of our hospital have hoisted black flags.
Sheikh Mujib was known as a charismatic leader and a powerful, moving speaker. He hated the discrimination he felt by West Pakistan leaders and was now determined to change their haughty attitudes. He set East Pakistan on the road to independence and it appears that nothing could stop him now.
Chittagong missionaries Gene and Beth Gurganus and children, Lynn Silvernale and Jeannie Lockerbie have made plans to evacuate should that become necessary. Plans like this were necessary in case violence escalated in the country. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) is ready, as well as a couple of freighters, to take out foreign evacuees.
March 9, 1971 Six of our missionary children, including two of our own, were students at the Murree Christian School in West Pakistan. They had been with us during the holidays and needed to return to Murree. Some of the mothers are reluctant to send the children back to Murree under the current political circumstances.
Regardless, I left Malumghat with the kids at 4 p.m. today and drove to Chittagong. Our plan was to get them to Dacca by train. On arrival in town I went directly to the railway station but failed to get seats on the evening train to Dacca. I’ll try again tomorrow. It was important to get them to Dacca either by train or by car in time to book their flights to Karachi and Islamabad.
Today, for the first time, we are seeing people around with red flags and wearing Communist NEP badges. Apparently, the Communists are seeing an opportunity to profit from the present political turmoil?
March 10, 1971 I tried again at 5:30 this morning to purchase train tickets but no seats were available. I then decided to drive the children to Dacca. We left Chittagong early. The road was clear and we moved along quite fast. We arrived in Dacca at 2 p.m. after a comfort stop in the town of Feni.
In Dacca, we met with missionaries Stewart Avery and Carl Writher. They decided to go to the airport and purchase tickets to West Pakistan for the missionary children but were unsuccessful as crowds of West Pakistan people were already in line. They decided to try again tomorrow.
March 11, 1971
We went again to the airport to book tickets for our children to Karachi and Islamabad. After submitting their applications for seats, we waited for over an hour before we were given standby flight numbers 3319 through 3325 for our six Murree students.
I learned that several Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) planes were carrying out hundreds of fleeing non-Bengali people who had been living in East Pakistan. They were fleeing in fear. They would get first
March 8, 1971 Feelings now are that the country situation is worse than ever and Sheikh Mujib wants complete
Doa 17
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, leader of the West Pakistan People’s Party came to Dacca from West Pakistan today to discuss progress in the political emergency.
We heard a rumor that there was trouble in Chittagong and Khulna as Bengali ‘Freedom fighters and the Pakistan military clashed.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a Pakistani politician and statesman who served as 4th President of Pakistan until 1971 when he turned over his Presidency due to political conflicts in the country. He was the founder of the Pakistan People’s Party in 1967 and served as Chairman until his execution by hanging in 1979. He was opposed to holding general elections in East Pakistan but couldn’t stop them. The Awami League won 167 out of 169 available seats in East Pakistan. Ali Bhutto’s People’s Party won in West Pakistan’s election.
After the war, Mr. Bhutto negotiated the release of 93,000 prisoners from Bangladesh and reclaimed 5000 square miles of territory occupied by India.
March 22, 1971 I wrote my parents: “We don’t know what news you are hearing but we are all safe and fear nothing at this time. It looks like the situation will end up perhaps to our liking if this East wing gets more autonomy. All the leaders are in Dacca now and it looks like progress will be made.”
Rumors have it that talks are progressing in Dacca with Bhutto and Mujib. In the event East Pakistan should declare independence from West Pakistan, the situation could deteriorate quickly.
March 25, 1971 We heard today that there was trouble in Dacca, Chittagong, and Khulna as Bengalis clashed with the Pakistan military. Obviously, there is not a political; settlement yet. News reaching us at Malumghat is quite sparse. We aren’t getting all the news.
The West Pakistani leaders tried to form a new government but Mujib was not co-operating. Sheikh Mujib, because of winning the majority of Parliament seat, would become Prime Minister of both East and West Pakistan. This afternoon, and unwilling to allow this to happen, General Tikka Khan let loose a massacre of the people in Dacca. With no warning and no opportunity to defend themselves, Bengalis were shot by Pakistani soldiers wherever they were found. The killing went on all night. In the middle of the night Sheikh Mujib was arrested and taken to West Pakistan and imprisoned where he remained for next nine months
March 26, 1971 This morning we heard that civil war had broken out in Dacca and the Freedom Fighters declared themselves to be the independent state of Bangladesh! We listened to the radio and heard the military governor announce 135 strict martial law orders. However, in defiance, our local Awami League leaders drove up and down the Cox’s Bazar highway calling people to arms. Truckloads of men armed with iron rods, spears, wooden clubs, and knives moved north towards Chittagong. The Awami League leaders stopped to tell us that the Bengali police, the East Pakistan Rifles (a Bengali military division), and the
Freedom Fighters were in control of Chittagong.
We made plans to stock up on food supplies. I disarmed our two hospital Pathan guards and hid them in our housing servant’s quarters. They were shaking with fear but I assured them of our protection. If they were on duty as usual they might irritate the public and become the target of revenge.
March 27, 1971 The news is grave. There is heavy fighting in both Dacca and Chittagong. Thousands have died. A note from our Chittagong missionary, Reid Minich, said there was gun fire in Chittagong all night long. He couldn’t sleep. Rumors and radio news tell us that Sheikh Mujib has been arrested and taken to West Pakistan. However, Chittagong Radio is still operating and denies that report. Another rumor is that Governor Tikka Khan has been killed!
The curfew that had been placed on Dacca was lifted today. Almost immediately the people who survived the crackdown massacre began leaving the city. Within the next two days, thousands fled to India.
I sent a note to Willard and Donna Benedict at Hebron advising them to pack up and prepare to leave the country. Willard replied with a note saying they are packing their bags for joining us at Malumghat. News of the possibility of civil war has caused them great concern. They will follow my suggestions.
Awami League leaders came to our hospital tonight and asked to borrow a vehicle and guns. I told them that we couldn’t give away our guns but I would leave my Scout Jeep near the hospital with the keys in the ignition. I couldn’t give it to them; they would have to ‘steal it because, as a religious non-government organization (NGO), we were to be non-political and neutral in political matters. I also asked them for the protection of our Pathan guards and they agreed. The Awami League leaders came this evening and took away my vehicle.
March 28, 1971
Word came to us that four Pakistani spies had been captured at Moulvirkoom, a village a few miles south of our hospital. Along with their capture, they confiscated four sten guns and a wireless radio. The spies had landed on shore about 30 miles north of Malumghat and paid a bribe to two Bengalis for driving them to Cox’s Bazar. The messenger also told me he saw one dead man on the road.
After being caught, the four spies were killed on the spot. The war is coming closer! It is not certain who captured the West Pakistani spies.
The noon news from Chittagong said that the government announced a blackout beginning tonight. They also said that no gasoline could be sold to the public. We heard that an appeal for help has been made to the free world by the Awami League.
We lost our electrical power this evening because of the blackout order. We were able to run the hospital using our own generator. The hospital staff used kerosene lanterns. Martial Law rulers have given out strict orders for all foreigners to turn over their guns to the police. That is not possible for us to obey
we are still under Awami League control and they are refusing to let us obey any order given out by the Military leaders.
The recent news was an encouragement for us to get more supplies for the hospital. One of us would go to our bank in Cox’s Bazar for more money. I will try to order more fuel.
Tonight I wrote to my father: “I’m writing this by the light of a kerosene lamp in our bedroom. The Bengali radio ordered total blackouts for the indefinite future. We at Malumghat are in the position of being in the area still controlled by the Bengali nationalists. This area includes the Chittagong district from the city of Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar. Our delicate position is that we can’t obey the martial law orders like turning over our guns to the local police. So, we are refusing to obey martial law orders.”
March 29, 1971 Radio Free Bangladesh came through this morning giving assurance that Chittagong is still holding out against the Pakistan military and has control of some sectors of the city. This was news of interest despite the fact 80,000 more West Pakistan military were supposed to have landed in the country! We also heard that hundreds of willing public volunteers are walking up and down the Cox’s Bazar beach to protect the town from an enemy invasion. Hundreds of civilians are carrying clubs and shouting Joi Bangla.
Cox’s Bazar is an ocean-side town 35 miles south of our hospital. Rumors are running wild and stories abound. There are reports that West Pakistani troops have landed on the off-shore Island of Sandwip, and are moving ashore under a barrage of artillery fire. Other rumors have it that Chittagong is also being shelled.
I spent time with our Pathan guards trying to comfort them and they were pleased that I had come. We are hearing that world sentiment has been aroused against President Yahya Khan.
March 30, 1971 Radio Dacca is off the air. There is fear it has been blown up by the Freedom Fighters. A runner came from Chittagong with reports of guns firing in Chittagong and that a group of Pakistan military is on top of the Divisional Commissioner’s (DC’s) hill in the center of the city. The Bengali Freedom Fighters have been holding out against the military rulers for the past five days. However, for some reason, Radio Free Bangladesh has not been able to broadcast their news. Perhaps there has been damage to their facilities.
Since we have no reliable phone connection with Chittagong, we send a daily runner between Malumghat hospital and our mission’s headquarters in Chittagong to collect and receive the news. He has to travel 65 miles to Chittagong by bus and, more often than not, return to Malumghat on the same day, if bus service is available. It is interesting that our electric service today continued past the normal blackout time of 7 p.m.
In Chittagong, the battle raged around our Church and office building. Thirty-four Bengali Christians huddled inside the church. Rifle fire hit the building while shells and rockets smashed into other nearby buildings, badly damaging a local Hindu temple. Missionaries Lynn Silvernale and Jeannie Lockerbie
remained in Chittagong for many harrowing nights with days filled with treating wounded Bengali freedom fighters, and housing a family of six, and assorted others who came to spend the night.
After gaining a position on top of the DC hill, the Pakistan military erected a machine gun nest pointed directly down at Lynn and Jeannie’s house. Neither of them wanted to leave Chittagong, but each sensed that God was telling them to do so.
March 31, 1971 Reid’s small, open-backed Land Rover truck, loaded with 12 people-and the little they could take with them-pulled into Malumghat this afternoon.
I drove to Dulahazara this morning and had tea with the Awami League leaders. Everybody is concerned that Radio Free Bangladesh has stopped transmitting news which means that the West Pakistan military have reached the Kalurghat area.
One of the Awami League men asked me for some shotgun shells. When I showed him my supply, he took 13 rounds of 12 gauge shells.
Radio news from India said that the Indian government passed a resolution to support East Pakistan’s desire for independence because of their appeal to the world for help. We began to realize that this war was becoming an international affair. We missionaries were encouraged since we were also, unofficially, pulling for the independent state of Bangladesh.
Summary: Two years ago this month, the Bengali people toppled Ayub Khan’s government. General Yahya Khan became President. He took over the military reign and promised to work for a popular civilian government, one that would be elected by the people. The election took place peacefully and the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujib, won by a landslide! This was troubling for Yahya Khan for it meant that a Bengali leader could become Prime Minister of the entire country (that is, both wings of East and West Pakistan).
The day came for the National Assembly meetings in Dacca. As the day approached for the meetings, West Pakistan’s leader of the Peoples Party, Ali Bhutto, refused to join in the talks. General Yahya Khan then yielded to Bhutto’s pressure and called off the meetings. This enraged the Bengalis who obeyed Sheikh Mujib’s orders for a national civil disobedience movement. Yahya came to East Pakistan for talks but these failed. After arresting Sheikh Mujib, he left Dacca in the night taking the Bengali leader with him. Before departing he called out the army to suppress the Bengali freedom movement.
Chapter Five
EVACUATION PLANNING
non-Bengalis being slaughtered in cold blood by angry Freedom Fighters. He saw bodies floating in the Karnaphuli River. People who were fleeing were being looted as they left town. He said that the Pakistan military had already surrounded Radio Free Bangladesh at Kalurghat.
In our staff meeting tonight we decided to postpone a decision about evacuating until later. Note of interest: The Colonel Zia (Ziaur Rahman) that Reid and I were referred to see at Kalurghat was a leader of the East Pakistan freedom fighters during the country’s liberation war. After the war, he rose to power. He became the country’s 7th President from April 21, 1977 until his assassination on May 30, 1981. He rose to power after the assassination of Sheikh Mujib on August 15, 1975. Zia was born January 19, 1936 and died May 30, 1981.
April 3, 1971 Chittagong is almost ruined according to reports coming to us. I went to Cox’s Bazar and was successful in getting some of our U.S. money changed into local currency so we could be prepared for any disturbing event in these uncertain times. I went again to see Major Shawkat and left a telegram with him to send to the authorities in the border town of Maungdaw, Burma. The Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) was with him. He told me that he had received a communiqué from his superior, Major Zia, stating that they had launched a battalion of Freedom Fighters against the Pakistan military in Chittagong and were making good progress. He sounded very optimistic in comparison with the report we had heard last night from our Chittagong runner! The Major asked me why I didn’t include his story “The Freedom Fighters are Winning?” in my telegram to Burma. Good question!
I met with our Malumghat Station Committee to talk about our mission station Hebron as a possible evacuation destination for us.
We heard in today’s news that India had harassed a West Pakistani ship until it turned back to port.
April 1, 1971 At midnight last night we learned that the United States government has decided to evacuate her citizens from East Pakistan. This morning we missionaries talked about making a trip to Teknaf to check on the availability of sampan boats for crossing the Naf River to Burma. We decided to go tomorrow because it was too late today. How strange for the Voice of America (VOA) to announce everything normal in East Pakistan and in the next breath announce that American citizens will be evacuated!
At about 5 p.m., the Awami Leaders and two East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) men came to the hospital to ask if we were evacuating. We told them again that we had no plans to leave. I think what they needed most was to be cheered up in the face of impending defeat. Our American missionaries’ physical presence was a security factor for them. One of the soldiers racked his rifle and pulled the trigger. Click! They left pretty disheartened when we couldn’t supply them with guns and ammunition. As they drove away we didn’t see a Bangladesh flag on their jeep as we had seen before.
After they left, I shared this information with the missionary staff. We talked more about getting ready for evacuation to Burma should that option becomes necessary. Reid Minich and I decided to go to Teknaf tomorrow morning to see if we could make temporary arrangements to evacuate.
April 2, 1971 Reid and I left this morning for Teknaf to see if we could get Burmese permission to evacuate through their country. We drove first to Cox’s Bazar and met with Major Shawkat, a Bengali major in the Pakistan Army but loyal to the Awami League independence movement. We talked with him about our desire to contact the Burmese government. He was dressed in a loungi (long wrap-a-round skirt worn by Bengali men) and tee shirt with a telephone and pistol beside him on the bed. He seemed relaxed and comfortable with how things were going in the country. He stated that it was his job to control all fuel supply in town. Instead of making a trip to Teknaf he advised that we contact his superior, Colonel Zia, at Kalurghat, a suburb of Chittagong on the Karnaphuli River. However, he finally accepted my letter about the evacuation matter which I had addressed to the Burmese government. He promised to transmit it through his channels. We took his advice regarding not going to Teknaf and returned home.
One of our Bengali staff returned from Chittagong today and told us of fires burning in every area of the city. The court house and the New Market shopping center had been partially destroyed. He told of seeing
April 4, 1971 Four Bengali doctors, including one lady, escaped from Chittagong and arrived at Malumghat today.
A report came to me by a local friend that a Pakistan helicopter was sighted last night in Cheringa. He wanted me to go with him to check out this news. Were the Pakistan military getting closer to our area, I wondered? We drove to Cheringa and met with the Awami League Commander who confirmed the rumor. While in Cheringa we saw some confiscated cars of non-Bengalis. The old WW 2 airport runways in Cheringa had been covered with rocks to prevent aircraft landings there.
This evening I called another meeting to discuss the idea of evacuating our hospital staff, and possibly all our missionaries, to Hebron in the hills near Lama Bazar. We maintained a Mission Station at Hebron on the Matamuhuri River about 15 miles east of our hospital, and a mile from the Lama Bazar and police station. From that location, we were working with tribal people, the Tripuras, Murungs and Marmas.
At 3p.m., we heard the news on the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) announcing that a ship would be leaving Chittagong tomorrow and that people wishing to evacuate would have to be in town tonight.
Five minutes later my wife and I heard the announcement again. The Scottish ship Clan McNair was in port, moored opposite the Port Trust Building. BBC asked all British nationals and other foreigners to enter the port at that gate and that the ship would depart at 8 a.m.
By 4:30 p.m. Reid Minich and Jesse Eaton were on their way to Chittagong in two cars waving American flags with the missionaries who decided to evacuate. The Clan McNair would take the evacuees to Calcutta and from there they would have to make their own arrangements for onward travel.
At Malumghat, we met again to discuss evacuation to Burma and arrangements for getting there. A few our group had mixed feelings about the whole issue. I decided to do more investigation into this angle.
One reporter later wrote, “Despite daily claims of a return to normalcy in East Pakistan, the West Pakistani army of Punjabis was not able to control large areas in the tea-growing Sylhet District, the jutegrowing Mymensingh District, in the panhandle south of Chittagong, and in areas along the Bay of Bengal that is often devastated by cyclones.”
At the time, we missionaries were unaware of the military plans to conquer the panhandle where we lived and operated our hospital. But the rumors coming to us indicated they were coming close.
The Bangkok Post reported on a group of newsmen who visited the grave of a Catholic Priest gunned down in East Pakistan. They saw the grave Saturday of a 59-year-old Italian priest killed by soldiers in his mission hospital on April 4. This news was the one reason why our group felt it might be best to get our women and children out of the country.
April 5, 1971 Vic Olsen and I drove to Cox’s Bazar and visited with the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) at his home. We questioned him at length about the dangers of evacuation and what plan we should take if we decided to leave. He felt that we would be in no danger.
We next visited Major Shawkat who talked about the possibility of guerrilla warfare for years to come if independence didn’t come soon. He felt that the fight for independence would go on even if they lost the battle now. He also told us that the Clan McNair left Chittagong at 11 p.m. last night. This made us wonder if our missionary colleagues had reached Chittagong on time?
We had lunch with the Chairman of Cox’s Bazar Town Planning Board after which we stopped again at the SDO’s home for Dr. Olsen to look at his ailing daughter.
Our hospital national staff informed us tonight that they would rather evacuate to local villages rather than to our hill station Hebron. BBC radio reported that more than 100 people evacuated on the Clan McNair. of that number only 30 were British citizens.
We men are taking turns sleeping at the hospital in the event the Pakistan military appears on the scene. By doing this we would relieve the fears of our employees living in the hospital staff quarters.
There are rumors that Naga tribesmen are coming into East Pakistan to fight with the Bengali Freedom Fighters. The Naga tribesmen are notorious for their fighting skills.
April 6, 1971
Today is quiet here. Only a few buses are moving on the highway. A report came to me of an Awami League meeting in the town of Eidgah. The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) told the people that guerrilla warfare would increase and continue until the country gained independence. A report from Chittagong said the West Pakistan military are in firm control of the city and they plan is to kill all the Hindus and destroy the Awami League party leaders and their followers.
Shop owners across the road from the hospital have removed their black protest flags! They do this when they think the Pakistan military might be coming. They are ready to hoist any flag that is pertinent for the moment. A bus driver told me that Reid Minich and Jesse Eaton and the missionaries got only as far as the town of Patiya the other night, about 30 miles south of Chittagong city. Perhaps they missed the Clan McNair if the rumor is true that the ship left at 11 p.m. that night?”
We had a meeting tonight to decide which of the missionaries would stay in Malumghat to watch over our properties in the event that we had to leave for Burma. Reid Minich wanted to stay in Chittagong. Doctors Vic Olsen and Donn Ketcham would stay at Malumghat. I sent a note to Reid with several questions: Are the shops and banks open? Are any of our Christians still in town? Are there other evacuations being planned? If so, some of our people may be interested. Is the Chittagong airport open? Did our missionaries that left by ship get searched and lose their cameras and other valuables, etc.? Do you think that the military knows that we are at the hospital in Malumghat? Is there any way we can get mail or telegrams out of the country? Were you successful in sending the telegrams we sent to you earlier? Is all of Chittagong under Pakistan military control now? You can see we are full of questions and eager to know any news and your analysis of the situation. You are the man on the spot!
April 7, 1971 Things seem to be quiet in our area although several truckloads of Freedom Fighter troops are moving north towards Chittagong.
The Clan McNair evacuees, after arriving in Calcutta, gave reports to Indian press about the civil war going on in Chittagong. I wondered if our missionaries had arrived there safely and were reporting their evacuation stories?
The Awami League leaders asked Dr. Olsen for a list of local refugees who had moved into the hospital compound. I hope their motives were good. World opinion is now focused on East Pakistan. This seems to give some hope of East Pakistan becoming free, but not without more bloodshed.
We learned later that on March 25th and 26th thousands of innocent Bengalis were killed at the order of General Niazi who now is Pakistan’s man in control of East Pakistan’s military forces.
In a release to our parents, Dr. H.T. Commons wrote on this day, “East Pakistan declared its independence and West Pakistan attempted to stop the secession by force of arms. We have been unable to communicate with our personnel in East Pakistan since March 15, when we received a cable that everybody was safe and asked us to notify their families. The struggle centers in the capital of Dacca and the port city of Chittagong as well as the populous towns of the interior, all of which are to the north,
northeast, and northwest of Chittagong. For this reason, we have felt that our personnel are reasonably safe where they are located. Currently, however, evacuation is going on by ship from Chittagong and by air from Dacca. On April 6, we have been advised by the State Department in Washington that the Eaton family, the Gurganus family, the Benedict family, and Misses Theaker and Cooley reached Calcutta safely by ship.
April 8, 1971 I stayed up at the hospital office last night. It rained hard during the night. No word today as to what is happening in Chittagong. Earlier news is that the Pakistan military is in full control of the city. Bengali troops are now massing on this side of Kalurghat.
Foreign news reports tell of Indian air strikes now. They were dropping leaflets of instructions from the sky warning the public where they would be dropping bombs. We also heard that the railroad bridge between Dacca and Comilla was blown up by the Freedom Fighters. British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and Voice of America (VOA) continue to report radio stories given by the Americans who evacuated Chittagong
Victory for the Awami League may be near if it is true that India is getting involved militarily against the West Pakistan military!
A rumor came that the public executed a thief in Eidgah Bazar yesterday at 2 p.m. This news should scare off the miscreants if anything can!
Reid Minich sent me a note that said, “We stayed at Patiya Sunday night. Leaving early Monday morning we reached the ship just in time to get our evacuating missionaries on board. I am trying to keep our properties safe. So far we have suffered no loss. There is no water or electric in much of the city.”
felt, was damaging to the West Pakistan military who were trying to defeat the Freedom Fighters. To make a long story short, I was successful in defending Reid and the authorities dropped his case. This was certainly a ‘praise the Lord’ victory!
We received a special news release from our USA Mission headquarters stating that they have been aware of the internal conflict between East and West Pakistan. They also reported that they are now in contact with our State Department. Their release said that the Gurganus, Benedict and Eaton families and Mildred Cooley and Florence Theaker were safe in Calcutta.
The following missionaries are still in East Pakistan: The Adolphs, Beals, DeCooks, Golins, Ketchams, Olsens, and Walsh families, and Mary Lou Brownell, Becky Davey, Gwen Geens, Shirley Harkness, Jeannie Lockerbie, Linda Short, Lynn Silvernale, Jean Weld and Reid Minich.
I called a staff meeting tonight to discuss Reid’s note. He said he was in contact with a US Consulate officer and needed to know if any more of us with the Association of Baptists were interested in leaving East Pakistan. We decided to delay our decision until today’s runner returns from Chittagong with the latest news.
April 9 1971 There is news of bombing in Rajshahi and Jessore, two cities in the western part of the country. Word came from Reid confirming that our folks got out of Chittagong on the Scottish ship, the Clan McNair. They arrived at the ship just in time in the morning. They did have to spend the night in Patiya on the day they left the hospital. The Gene Gurganus family was also able to leave on the ship. Reid also reported that all our town property is safe and the two women missionaries, Lynn Silvernale and Jeannie Lockerbie, stayed behind, not taking advantage of the Clan McNair opportunity.
Reid said he is doing well. However, he has had some hair-raising experiences since Monday which he couldn’t share now.
Let me share this note about Reid Minich our missionary in charge in Chittagong. He received a note from the Pakistan government that he was declared persona non-grata and must leave the country. No reason was given. After sharing this news with me, I made many visits to meet with the Dacca authorities to get his case dropped. I found out that they had confiscated a letter that Reid had written which, they
April 10, 1971 At 3:30 a.m. I was awakened by a call from Larry Golin that a group of Awami League men were walking around the hospital compound but refused to talk with him. Vic Olsen and I went to talk with the men, one of whom was Dr. Shamsuddin, an important local Awami League leader. He wanted us to provide a room in the hospital where the Freedom Fighters could set up a 400-watt radio transmitter. I wondered if this could be the Radio Free Bangladesh unit that Col. Zia had been using at Kalurghat? After a long talk, we convinced him that it would not be possible to give our answer now but to return in the morning after we had time to think about their request. He and his men left.
Early this morning Vic and I called a meeting to discuss what answers we should give the Awami League men about their request for setting up a radio transmitter on hospital property. While we were still meeting, Dr. Shamsuddin and his men arrived to get our answer! They were very eager for a good reply from us. Vic and I, as we left the meeting, asked the missionaries to pray while we talked with the men. Leaning against their vehicle and talking through the window, we plainly laid out our position. We told them that if they insisted on installing their radio transmitter in the hospital, we would have to close the hospital and leave. We explained to them that if the Indian Air Force picked up a radio signal, they would bomb the hospital. God answered our prayers. They decided not to bother us further on this issue and left.
This afternoon Mel Beals and I drove to Cox’s Bazar to purchase supplies. We tried to see Major Shawkat but he was gone. We were able to purchase quite a few supplies before returning to Malumghat by 3:30 p.m.
April 11, 1971 Today is Easter Sunday. Jesus rose from the grave victorious over death and hell!
and no one can leave Chittagong without a permit from the Pakistan military.
I talked with our Pathan guards. They had run out of kerosene for cooking and asked that we might make other arrangements for them. They are living in fear that some of our Bengali staff might want to kill them.
April 13, 1971
A report from Chittagong said that a Bengali regiment of Freedom Fighters were planning a counter attack on the Pakistan military occupying the city.
Dr. Shamsuddin and several other doctors came to the hospital from Patiya in a rush. They wanted equipment for drawing blood for a Captain Haroon, who was shot at Kalurghat today.
The Awami League leader from Cox’s Bazar came and dropped off 10 packets of tea for us, a ‘thank you’ gift for showing our support!
I wrote the following summary for my parents in America, “We are all safe and well here at Malumghat which is still under control of the Bengali Freedom Fighters. We have laid evacuation plans to Burma if need be. The Lord is good and we trust in Him. We are a total of 48 persons here including women and children. There are more than 50 refugees from Chittagong living on the property!
I wrote that we hadn’t received any mail for the past two months and they probably hadn’t heard from us. As you may guess this country is in a big mess. The Bengali people want to be indigenous from West Pakistan who controls most of the money (banks) and businesses in East Pakistan. The Bengali people want to control their own little country. They unanimously elected a leader named Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to lead the people with their full support. When the National Assembly was to meet on March 3rd to frame a new constitution, President Yahya Khan, under pressure from other West Pakistan leaders, called it off. This started the fires burning in Bengali hearts! Sheikh Mujib called for a country-wide disobedience movement. This completely closed all businesses, schools, post offices and government offices. This paralyzed the country.
So, Yahya Khan came to East Pakistan to talk with Sheikh Mujib. According to rumors, their talks were going well. Yahya agreed to have another election set for March 25th, but Mujib said he wouldn’t attend unless Yahya agreed to meet some of his demands. While it looked like they were making progress, severe fighting erupted on the 25th between the military and Freedom Fighters. On the 25th at midnight Yahya flew out of Dacca taking Mujib prisoner with him. Before leaving, he gave orders to the military command to crush the Bengali resistance and the Awami League party. The Pakistan military obeyed and mowed down thousands of innocent men, women and children including college students.
Most of Chittagong city has also fallen under military control. When the fighting got hot in town, Reid Minich brought Jeannie Lockerbie and Lynn Silvernale, plus several nationals, down to our hospital.
On April 4, a radio announcement came that a ship would be in harbor to take out any foreigners who wanted to leave. Some of our missionaries have taken advantage of this offer. The rest of our missionaries are here at Malumghat. We have tentative plans to evacuate to Burma, if necessary.
The war could go on for a long time. There are 60,000 West Pakistan military trying to subdue millions of Bengalis who are unorganized but have the determination to free their country for their children.”
News today reported that, after two weeks of silence, Radio Free Bangladesh is broadcasting again. Col. Zia has proclaimed a new government for Bangladesh! The other news is that Dacca is normal again and that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is operating Karachi to Dacca flights with full loads of people returning to Dacca. I really doubt this rumor!
Someone else heard that the Pakistan military had crossed over on the south side of Kalurghat. He thought they might be reaching our hospital soon. Other rumors are that a new Bengali government will be formed within two days?
China is supposed to have given full support to the Pakistan military activity in East Pakistan.
The local Awami League leaders want to exchange my Scout Jeep vehicle for another one. They said that mine uses too much gas! I could have told them that. They also wanted to use our hospital laboratory to draw a supply of blood for their emergency use. We had to turn them down on both requests. Radio Free Bangladesh is supposed to be working again.
April 14, 1971 The morning news says India will definitely consider recognizing a new Bangladesh Government. Other news, monitored in Calcutta, says that the Pakistan military has advanced toward Chandraghona, location of the British Baptist Hospital, and Kaptai, the location of the Karnaphuli Dam which is the source for irrigation and electric power. They have set up headquarters at Rangunia, a village on the Kaptai road.
We received another report that the Pakistan military had acquired 18 American designed helicopters manufactured in Italy and shipped to East Pakistan with the help of Iran. The helicopters were equipped with machine guns to strafe the Freedom Fighters hiding in the jungles.
A new Bangladesh government was formed today according to Radio Free Bangla as monitored in Calcutta. The Freedom Fighters have announced plans for total guerilla warfare. Colonel Osmani, an Awami League military leader, is heading the Freedom Fighters defense forces.
Actually, his full name was Mohammad A.G. Osmani. He was the Supreme Commander of the Bangladesh forces during the liberation war. The Mukti Fouj and Mukti Bahini were under his command.
April 15, 1971 Word came that Cox’s Bazar is pretty well deserted. The Dulahazara former Union Council Chairman heard that Major Shawkat had surrendered to the West Pakistan military and announced it over Chittagong radio. Other rumors say the military are moving up towards Kaptai town and the Kaptai Dam.
At Malumghat we held another missionary staff meeting tonight and made the following decisions:
April 12, 1971
News came today that no one can enter Chittagong without a permit from the Bengali Freedom Fighters
were in real danger.
Reid said the American Consulate men told him of their experience in evacuating Americans from the Kaptai Dam Project. They also had seen dreadful sights in Dacca in the past few days.”
Mel Beals reviewed his evacuation plans to leave for Burma via Teknaf and there were no objections to it. We decided that he should go to Teknaf soon to check on the availability of boats. We decided to send a runner to Chandraghona to check the rumors we heard about the
Pakistan military activity up there. April 16, 1971 The runner came from Chittagong, out of breath, at 2:30 p.m. to report that the military were coming down our way and that the Indian Air Force had dropped bombs on Patiya and Amirabad. We men went to the roadside to check on this news. An Awami League jeep went by our hospital waving people away and sounding an alarm. We learned that bombing had, indeed, taken place in the above mentioned towns. We hoisted an American flag and hurriedly painted large red crosses on the roofs of our hospital buildings.
I called a station meeting at which we decided to prepare for evacuation to Burma. We would wait, however, to see if more bombing would take place near the hospital that was located on the front property near the road and the housing was on the back property. In the meantime, we men would looked for places around the hospital and housing areas where we could safely hide in case bombing did occur. We located several places in the nearby jungles.
At 6 p.m., Reid came from Chittagong bringing with him three Americans from our Consulate in Dacca. We were happy to see them. We held a meeting to hear from them and get answers to our questions about the tense situation in the country. They told us that VOA advised us to evacuate to Burma.
Several top Awami League men came to the hospital tonight including a Mr. Kaiser and Dr. Jafor Alam who had been recently elected as Members of the National Assembly (MNA). We talked at Dr. Olsen’s house until 1:00 a.m. in the morning. Their case was well presented. They must win the liberation war, or die trying, or perhaps even join the Communist party. They said that whatever happens, guerrilla warfare will continue.
On this day, Jeannie Lockerbie wrote these vignettes, “Everyone was enjoying an afternoon nap when suddenly the cry went up, ‘The Military have come!’ Families from the hospital property, household servants, and other workers all began running back to the housing area. We learned that Patiya and Amirabad (45 and 25 miles north of Malumghat) had been bombed. Some of our local people said they would run to the jungle where there were old WW II trenches. Lynn Silvernale and I would ‘plane watch’ from the roof of the nurses’ quarters and sound a gong if we spotted one.”
We had just finished eating supper when Reid Minich arrived with the American men from the American Embassy in Dacca. They told us of the VOA announcement to hurry and evacuate to Burma. We asked them many questions. Much of their information was encouraging. They didn’t feel we missionaries would be in any danger unless we would be hiding Awami League people in the hospital. They felt that the Bengali nationals working in the hospital were safe as long as we missionaries were there. Only Hindus were in real danger.
April 17, 1971 At a historic meeting at 9 a.m. this morning, we met with the American Consulate personnel who came from Chittagong with Reid. They were Richard Wilson (Consul), Robert Simpson and Terry Meyers. They told us that the Voice of America (VOA) advised us to evacuate. They promised to ask the West Pakistan military authorities to avoid bombing and strafing for two days to allow for safe travel to Chittagong. We had to decide whether or not we wanted to evacuate and to give our reply to Mr. Wilson by 11 a.m. After long deliberation, we decided, on a one-by-one basis, that we all would stay at Malumghat except the Adolph family, Mary Lou Brownell, Shirley Harkness, Jean Weld, and Gwen Geens. Reid and the three American officials left for Chittagong at noon. Mel Beals told us he and his family were soon going to evacuate through Burma.
My wife’s letter to her sister in Michigan said, “We are still alive! However, the country is in a bad mess and its progress may be set behind for another 100 years. The military have ruthlessly moved into the main cities. Multiplied thousands of people have died. The cities of Dacca and Chittagong are like ghost towns as most of the residents have fled to the jungles or crossed over to India. Reid Minich said that decomposed bodies are lying all over Chittagong. Much of the town has been smashed and burnt out. Here at our hospital we have more than 50 refugees that have moved in. We also have wounded Freedom Fighters that have come for medical care. The military may sweep through this area at any time to crush the Freedom Fighters in this end of the province.”
April 18, 1971 Reid came from town on his Honda motorcycle this afternoon to tell us that evacuation plans were ready for tomorrow morning. We held another meeting to bid farewell to those who were leaving. All the other Malumghat missionaries, including Chittagong missionaries Lynn Silvernale and Jeannie Lockerbie, would stay at Malumghat. We spent the rest of the afternoon making plans and writing letters for our departing colleagues to mail for us.
After our morning church service, Mary Lou Brownell, Shirley Harkness, Linda Short, Jean Weld and Gwen Geens also decided to evacuate to West Pakistan. Jean would go on to America.
We met with the hospital staff (especially with the Hindus and Buddhists) to tell them to prepare a place to flee before the Pakistan army arrives at the hospital. There are reports that the Pakistan military is making Hindus their target. The visiting Americans had talks with the local Awami League leaders this afternoon. They conducted themselves in a fine manner. They knew what they were fighting for and what the consequences might be. The American Embassy men made it clear that the US government was not in a position to recognize Bangladesh or to send any aid or help. This was not good news for these Consulate
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April 19, 1971 Mel Beals and Joe DeCook drove the evacuees to Chittagong. They were the Adolph family, Shirley Harkness, Mary Lou Brownell, Linda Short, Jean Weld and Gwen Geens. Reid led the way with his Honda.
Mel made last minute preparations to leave for Burma tomorrow. I worked with the evacuation plans of our national staff, especially for the Hindu families living on the hospital property. One of them had gotten permission from the local forest officer to make a trench in the jungle behind his house for hiding.
Three truckloads of the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) came this morning and stopped in Dulahazara. Someone reported that they are still there, parked on the road that leads to Shaperghara.
One of our employees asked for time off work. He, and many of his village people, was heading for the jungles to prepare places to hide.
Dr. Zafar Alam, Member Elect of the National Assembly (MNA) and a leader in the Awami League party, came to see Dr. Olsen. He asked for a job in the hospital, hoping to get protection from the Pakistan military that was chasing him. Unfortunately, Dr. Olsen couldn’t agree to this idea as we as NGO’s were to be non-political and neutral.
April 20, 1971 I helped Mel pack his luggage and at 7 a.m. Dr. Joe DeCook and I, and the Beals family, left for Teknaf. On the way, we hit and killed a cow at Nilla, about 10 miles north of Teknaf. It jumped into the side of our vehicle as we were passing through the village. We told the owner of the cow that we were from the Malumghat hospital and drove on.
By 10:30 a.m. the Beals were on their way across the Naf River for Maungdaw, Burma.
Still in Teknaf, Joe and I were called by some Awami League students who took us to their headquarters where we met Mr. Md. Edris, President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and more recently, elected as a member of the National Assembly. He spoke of his time with Sheikh Mujib in Dacca and how the military were looking for any opportunity to intervene and stop him from taking power. Mr. Edris fled Dacca in a Mercedes Benz car. He has been fleeing ever since the military crackdown on March 25th, and is now in Teknaf planning to cross over to Maungdaw if necessary. The newly elected members of the National Assembly were prime targets of the Pakistan military and that is why they were on the run!
On our way back to the hospital, we haggled for a half hour in Nilla over the price of the dead cow we had accidently killed on our way to Teknaf. After bargaining for a half hour we finally struck a deal for 110 rupees (about $20). A passenger riding with us helped with our negotiations. Further on, we were stopped again at the rubber plantation by Freedom Fighters where I saw a man behind a bush with his rifle pointing at me! When they realized we were from the Malumghat hospital, they let us drive on.
Reaching Dulahazara village we were stopped again by the police. An Awami League member came out from a tea shop and warned us not to pick up any passengers. He warned us to get back to the hospital and stay there. There could be no doubt now that it will be only a matter of time before the West Pakistan military would arrive in Dulahazara.
and stay there. There could be no doubt now that it will be only a matter of time before the West Pakistan military would arrive in Dulahazara.
I went up to the hospital to take my turn at guarding. At 11:30 p.m. Dr. Olsen rode up on his motorcycle and informed me that Becky Davey, hospital Director of Nursing, had returned to her quarters from the hospital where she had been delayed by a medical emergency. Keyed up, and not ready to retire for the night, she turned on her short-wave radio, something she rarely did. She couldn’t tune in VOA at first but picked it up just as they were giving the summary of news at 11:15. Becky listened to the summary. and heard, “Now a special announcement for the Americans at Malumghat. The U.S. government strongly advises all but essential personnel to proceed immediately by motor vehicle to the Burma border. The Chittagong route is no longer available.” This was repeated a second time. After Vic gave me Becky’s information, I called our missionaries together. We waited until midnight to see if we could all hear the same VOA announcement together. It didn’t happen. For the first time, everyone seemed to agree that we should heed this advice and head for Burma.
Months later Reid told us the background of that announcement. “When the airlift evacuation group saw how ravaged Chittagong was, they were badly shaken and insisted that all our people must vacate the country.”
Then to our horror we learned that the British Baptist Hospital at Chandraghona, 25 miles from Chittagong had been raked with machine gun fire without any warning whatsoever. Their leprosy hospital had been hit by a rocket and one patient killed. The Chandraghona people had felt secure, that nothing would be done without the military giving them sufficient warning. Their trust had been misplaced.
As soon as the Pakistan military arrived at that hospital, they made a bed-to-bed search for wounded guerrilla fighters. To further terrorize the hospital staff, they marched a group of Bengalis onto the hospital compound and shot them in cold blood in front of the hospital building. We knew nothing of this at the time but God was directing us to leave the country – fast!
April 21, 1971 At our midnight meeting, we decided that all of us would leave Malumghat, except doctors Vic Olsen and Donn Ketcham. I was chosen to lead the evacuation group and to try to renew our expired Pakistan visas in Burma or Thailand for all of us. Most of us had been without renewed Pakistan visas for most of the year. Mel Beals, who was first selected to be the leader of the evacuation group, had already left for Burma yesterday.
My wife and I, and daughters Linda and Debra, began packing for the trip. We packed through the night several barrels of things we would want shipped back to the USA should the Pakistan government refuse to let us return. The electricity went off at 3:45 a.m. just as we had finished packing. A miracle! Government supplied electricity had usually been going off at 7 p.m. in the evenings. I tried to sleep for the next hour and a half but couldn’t relax. We got up at 5 a.m. and loaded the vehicles for our trip to Teknaf.
Jeannie Lockerbie Lynn Silvernale.
decision to evacuate. Some seemed to understand that we needed to go, but others felt as if the bottom had dropped out of their world. One of the touching moments was when the West Pakistani guards raised their closed window curtains to watch our departing caravan pass by. Their hopes fell!
With our three-vehicle caravan we drove as far as the link road leading to Teknaf and found a padlocked pole blocking the road. This made it impossible for us to proceed further. I left the group and hurried on to Cox’s Bazar to get permission from the Awami League office to unlock the barrier so we could drive on to Teknaf. I finally convinced them that we had to go so they sent one of their men with me with a padlock key to lift the pole. After that delay, we had a safe drive to Teknaf through occasional hard rains. As we arrived in Teknaf the rains stopped making it possible to unload our gear on to the jetty. I rented a big sampan for 130 rupees ($26) to take us across the Naf River to Burma. But, we had to wait for the incoming tide before we could cross. While we waited, we sat on the veranda of a shop eating a meager picnic lunch with a crowd of curious people watching us. Before leaving Teknaf, I searched the local Bazar for Burmese money called kyats. I knew we might have need of them once we were in Burma. We dubbed our sampan as ‘Noah’s Ark’ and embarked at 3:45 p.m. for Maungdaw.
The 34 who evacuated from the hospital were:
Mel and Marjorie Beals and three daughters. They left alone on April 20th Jay & Eleanor Walsh and six children Kitty Ketcham and three children Joan Olsen and three children Joe & Joyce DeCook and four children Larry & Jane Golin and three children Becky Davey Jeannie Lockerbie Lynn Silvernale.
Chapter Six
REFUGEES IN BURMA
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines a refugee as “one who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution.” In reality, our group of Americans was now refugees.
It took us four hours to cross six miles of the Naf River to Maungdaw because our sampan’s main sail broke half way across the river. We men helped row the boat, and the women and children sang songs until the boatman finally got the sail repaired. We experienced a miracle on the crossing: Joyce DeCook accidently dropped her eye contact lens which fell into the dark greasy bottom of the sampan. Without them she wouldn’t be able to see. Some of us decided to hunt for the tiny objects and, praise the Lord, we found them!
It was dark when we arrived in Maungdao at 7 p.m. but we were welcomed and treated with courtesy by the Burmese Customs and Immigration officials. What a surprise to see the Beals family, who arrived there the previous day. We joined them to spend the night in the Government Guest House. We also saw Dr. Shamsuddin, Awami League leader from Dulahazara, and Noor Ahmed (MNA) in exile. We were all refugees!
Because of the lack of bedrooms, we slept on the floor wherever we could bed down. Even though it was uncomfortable, we were happy to be in Burma. We ate supper from our own supplies that we carried with us. I asked the Burmese guard if he could bring me some Burmese chicken curry. That was good decision but the curry was spicy hot!
Leaving East Pakistan and our hospital staff of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians was difficult for all of us. I knew that those we left behind could be facing dangers with the advancing Pakistan army, but I also knew that they could evacuate to safety into the Chittagong Hill Tracts or local villages. What I couldn’t realize at the time was that our group of Americans, now in Maungdao, would need my diplomatic experiences to get us back into East Pakistan again. Most of us had expired Pakistan visas.
April 22, 1971 This morning we completed immigration formalities with the Burmese Customs and Immigration officials. After starting a fire and finding some cooking pots, we had a good breakfast of boiled eggs, bread and peanut butter, jam, tea and coffee. Breakfast finished, at about 10 am all 34 of us were loaded into two military trucks and driven 16 miles east to Buthidaung. Our trucks were heavily guarded by gun toting Burmese soldiers who were under orders to keep us safe. In Buthidaung we boarded an old river patrol boat at the headwaters of the Akyab River at 1 p.m. By 6 p.m., we reached the down-river town of Rethedaung where our crew took time to eat before continuing our trip down to Akyab city. The river was
boat at the headwaters of the Akyab River at 1 p.m. By 6 p.m., we reached the down-river town of Rethedaung where our crew took time to eat before continuing our trip down to Akyab city. The river was scenic, much like river travel in East Pakistan. By 10 p.m. we arrived in the estuary of the river where it empties in the Bay of Bengal, but opposite to the city of Akyab (we could see the city lights in the distance). We had apparently overshot our destination and were wandering about in the river without lights. Our boat bounced around in a strong wind and rain, striking bottom from time to time, without any working lights on the boat. With a dead battery, we finally convinced the crew to drop anchor and wait out the storm until morning. The Burmese officials agreed! Most of the missionaries slept in the main area in the bottom of the boat. Every available area was filled with bodies! I slept on the cabin roof. In the morning, the crew started looking for the canal leading into town. Our 80-mile trip on the Akyab River was over!
April 23, 1971 This morning we celebrated Jane Golin’s birthday! The crew attempted to start the boat’s motor but found that the battery was dead. This explained why we had no lights on the boat last night. They pulled anchor and we began to drift upriver with the incoming tide. We men tried to keep the boat from grounding by pushing it away from shore with bamboo poles that had been strapped to the side of the boat. However, we finally ran out of energy. The strong winds grounded us before we reached the entrance of the canal leading to the city. Stranded, our Burmese crew left us to make other arrangements to get us into Akyab city.
We were all hungry having eaten all the food we brought with us from Malumghat; I took advantage of the wait by engaging a fisherman and his canoe to paddle me to a nearby village. Fortunately, I could communicate with my boatman in the Chittagonian Bengali dialect.
I walked up and down the village paths and purchased bananas and cookies with the kyats I had purchased in Teknaf. Before I returned to our stranded boat with the food, the Burmese crew had also returned. Learning of my side adventure into the village Bazar without their permission upset them. They were concerned because there had been a lot of recent Communist activity in that area. I begged their forgiveness and we all enjoyed eating the food!
The crew returned with a larger PT-type boat and ferried us close to the city where we were transferred into small dinghies which took us to a dock where the American officials were waiting to greet us. As we neared our destination we all began singing a favorite chorus, “With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm.” Consul Officer Mr. Gene Martin from our Embassy in Rangoon, and Colonel Walsh (no relation) were there to welcome us. They treated us with cold sodas and other goodies.
After more Customs and Immigration formalities, Mr. Martin informed me that a Burmese army Colonel, whose men were waiting in a jeep at the dock, wanted to debrief me for a few minutes. They wanted to learn what was going on in East Pakistan. The rest of our group was taken to a Catholic Church compound to wait while Mel Beals and I were hustled off in a well-armed jeep for our meeting with the
Following this ordeal, we joined the rest of our group at the Catholic Church. They had all been fed and were wondering what was holding us up. After a quick shower, Mel and I ate lunch. Father Blumm told us his home was in Detroit, Michigan. He had been in Burma for 23 years and hadn’t left for the past 10 years. He told us that if he leaves, he would never be allowed to return because of new rules imposed by the Military-run government.
to the Akyab airport where we boarded a Union of Burma Airlines (UBA) DC-3 airplane headed for Rangoon. It had been chartered for us. I sat beside Colonel Walsh who told me how impressed he was with our group singing the chorus ‘With Christ in my vessel we can smile at the storm’ as we arrived at the port this morning. This gave me a good opportunity to share my faith with him.
The American Ambassador was waiting for us as we landed in Rangoon. He introduced himself as Mr. Hummel. Enroute to the hotel where we were to stay, I sat in the back seat of the limousine with the Embassy Political Officer, Mr. Fleck. He asked me if we had made any statement about the East Pakistan situation to Burmese officials. Yes, I replied. we were interrogated by a Burmese Colonel. I told him of the questioning process that Mel and I had gone through. At that point, Mr. Fleck reached in his suit pocket and pulled out a document. Somehow he had managed to get a copy of our interview from the Burmese Colonel before we boarded the plane! This convinced me that our American CIA is well trained and very effective in their duties. We were taken to the Russian-built Inya Lake Hotel. As the Ambassador left, he asked to meet with us later that evening.
At 7 p.m. Ambassador Hummel, Political Officer Mr. Fleck and Consul Gene Martin came to the hotel together. We talked over the situation in East Pakistan and about our personal visa problems until midnight. Part of our conversation dealt with the matter of political asylum for the Awami League leaders who were still in Maungdao. At our meeting, I presented Mr. Hummel two letters from these leaders requesting asylum in the USA.
Mr. Fleck produced a cable that they had received from Islamabad advising us of a ‘no return’ order to East Pakistan or Karachi, West Pakistan. The Pakistan government made it clear that we had left East Pakistan illegally and that we were forbidden to re-enter the country at all! Before they left tonight, I made it clear to Ambassador Hummel that our desire was to return to East Pakistan, as a group, and continue our work there.
On this same day, our Mission President sent a letter to my father in Michigan, stating that they had received word from the State Department that “34 missionaries from Malumghat had left the country and were heading for Rangoon, Burma. We assume from our own calculations that all the wives and children have left. Your son has great rapport with the nationals and we feel that the Lord will protect him during the time it takes to reestablish peace and order in East Pakistan.”
April 24, 1971 I had a poor night’s sleep thinking about the news in the cable prohibiting our return to East Pakistan, and, even to Karachi, West Pakistan. Ambassador Hummel also mentioned that one of the Clan McNair
Apru 24, 1971 I had a poor night’s sleep thinking about the news in the cable prohibiting our return to East Pakistan, and, even to Karachi, West Pakistan. Ambassador Hummel also mentioned that one of the Clan McNair missionaries had been refused entry into West Pakistan. He also had heard that there was news of heavy fighting in the road-side towns south of Chittagong. All this news began swirling in my mind and I felt that I needed to act quickly.
Later this morning I called a meeting of our missionaries to review the previous night’s talks with the Ambassador. I suggested to them that none of us disperse in different directions, but stay together as the Malumghat Hospital Group. I also said that I would write a letter, on behalf of our group, to the Pakistan government explaining that we had left East Pakistan, not per our wishes, but at the order of the American government as announced over the Voice of America (VOA) radio. I would tell them how important our hospital was for the poor people of the Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar Districts. The Ambassador agreed to forward my letter to Islamabad. He advised us to wait for a reply to his Telex before making any further decisions.
At 10 a.m. this morning Ambassador Hummel came and spoke to our group at which time we shared with him our plans to return to East Pakistan. He said he would send the letter I had written to Islamabad conveying all the details of our exodus from East Pakistan and our desire to return as soon as possible.
At 4:30 p.m. the Ambassador invited all of us to his residence. He wanted us to watch him feed his two pet Royal Bengal Tigers! He held two pans of meat high over his head as he entered one end of the cage and dropped both as he walked out the other end. The tigers knew what to do!
Later this afternoon I met again with the Ambassador and Mr. Fleck. They had received a return cable from Islamabad with the news that we could re-enter the country at Karachi, West Pakistan, but not East Pakistan. Later this evening I shared this hopeful news with the other missionaries.
April 25, 1971 This morning I phoned Consul Gene Martin and told him we planned to leave Burma for Bangkok, Thailand tomorrow. He went to work and through the American Express office, secured UBA seats for tomorrow’s Bangkok flight.
In the meantime, we did the tourist thing today visiting sights around Rangoon, including the famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Thanks to the American Embassy Rodman family, we ended up at the American Club for lunch and a taste of home with hamburgers, Coca Cola and ice cream.
This afternoon I talked with Consul Gene Martin regarding our travel plans. He told us that our arrangements with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) guesthouse in Bangkok had been approved. We packed our bags and enjoyed our last night in Rangoon. We have been treated well by the Burmese authorities and those of the American Embassy. During our short time in Burma as refugees we had been involved with the following people:
Commander San Lin, commander of the Akyab Naval District.
U Saw Hlaing, Protocol Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rangoon Father Blumm, Catholic Priest, Catholic Mission, Akyab
American Embassy officials: Ambassador Arthur W. Hummel, Political Officer Mr. Fleck, Consul Gene Martin and Mr. and Mrs. George Rodman.
Chapter Seven
VISAS IN THAILAND
April 26, 1971 At 5:30 a.m., our group went to the Rangoon airport. I went ahead with Consul Gene Martin to help speed up the departure procedures. Ambassador Hummel and his wife and Mr. Fleck, political attaché, were on hand to bid us goodbye. We left Rangoon at 7:45 a.m. on Union of Burma Air flight 220 and arrived in Bangkok at 9:20 a.m. We all passed through Customs without opening a bag. The C&MA guesthouse manager, Mr. Bill Carlson, was on hand to welcome us. He took us to their guest facility which would be our temporary home while we were in Thailand.
After settling in, the first thing I did was phone the American Embassy for an appointment which we got without a problem. Mel Beals and I went at 2 p.m. and met with the Consul General, Mr. Erik Jorgensen. He said he felt he already knew us from all the communications from Pakistan and Burma that had been copied to him. After explaining our need for Pakistan visas, he phoned the Pakistan Embassy in Bangkok to see if we could meet with the Pakistan Ambassador and tell him our problem. The person who answered the phone assured Mr. Jorgensen that our group could proceed to West Pakistan with our present visas, which were already expired, or simply enter as tourists. My goal, however, in trying to meet the Pakistan Ambassador was to try to renew our expired Pakistan visas in Bangkok. A meeting was set up for the next day.
I proceeded to request Mr. Jorgensen to send to Islamabad a copy of the same letter of request for visas that I had written in Rangoon. The letter contained the same request that Ambassador. Hummel had sent on our arrival in Rangoon. Mr. Jorgensen had already read it. He knew that we were the group of Malumghat Hospital missionaries out of the country because of a VOA request for us to evacuate. He also knew and that we were anxious to return to our hospital duties in East Pakistan. He agreed to our request and suggested we check in with him tomorrow.
The American government sent a special release to our Mission headquarters in the USA with a message for our parents and friends at home. The message reported that the State Department had been contacted to advise the missionaries in Rangoon that those who wanted to return to the States from there were free to do so. Any who wished to remain to see what might happen for them to get back into East Pakistan were also free to do so. They also asked the Burmese Embassy to furnish whatever funds the missionaries needed and to bill them for the same.
everybody and that he was planning to stay in Thailand in an effort to get new visas for all who had left East Pakistan with expired ones.
April 27, 1971 Mel Beals, Joe DeCook and I met again today with Mr. Erik Jorgensen. He had a letter of introduction ready for us to take to the Pakistan Ambassador in Thailand. After some chit chat, he told me that to get what I was asking for would be like asking for the moon. Then he added, “If anybody can get it, I think you can!” Did he believe my plans would work or what?
We taxied over to the Pakistan Embassy where we met the Pakistan Ambassador and his staff, including the Third Secretary, a Bengali gentleman from Dacca. After sharing the story of our evacuation from East Pakistan against our wishes, and our need for new visas to re-enter East Pakistan, he promised to send a telegram to Islamabad asking for permission to grant new visas for our entire group.
April 28, 1971 Today I wrote to Dr. Commons, ABWE’s President in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, giving him information of the various missionary evacuations. I also wrote to Father Blumm in Akyab thanking him for the hospitality offered to our group when we were passing through Akyab. I also wrote to my parents in Michigan telling them that on April 20th we flew from Rangoon to Bangkok. I said, “I hope you are saving my letters as they may be a source for a book or two later on!”
I have written letters to the Ambassador in Rangoon and other Burmese government officials thanking them for everything they did to assist us during our days in Burma. The American personnel in Rangoon also did a bang-up job in helping and assisting us in every way.
We heard news today that Indian and Pakistani troops were fighting in Bangladesh. This news meant that Bangladesh is getting India’s support and that Independence would soon become a reality! Radio Pakistan also reported that the East Pakistan borders have now been sealed. In addition, we heard that yesterday a Bengali Embassy official at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C. had defected and declared his allegiance to the Bangladesh independence movement! Joi Bangla!
After dinner, we took the kids to see The Sound of Music…a terrific movie. The DeCooks, Golins, and Beals were with us.
According to a newspaper report, more than a million people have fled from East Pakistan to India as refugees.
May 1, 1971 World Travel Services called at 2:30 p.m. saying that Monday is a Bank Holiday and that she has booked us on Thursday’s flight to Penang on Thai Airways. Becky, Lynn and Jeannie came to our room this evening and we talked over future plans and possibilities
May 2, 1971 Our group was only allowed to stay in Thailand for 15 days on a tourist visa. Our time was running out. We would need to leave Thailand and re-enter on a new 15-day permit. Near the end of our first fifteen days, our group decided we would take a few days’ vacation on the Malaysian island of Penang before returning to Thailand.
The BANGKOK POST reports that more than a million people have fled as refugees to India from East Pakistan
May 3, 1971 The BANGKOK POST reported today that Pakistan has obtained 18 helicopters to strafe the Bengali Freedom fighters hiding in jungle areas. The West Pakistan fighters fear that guerrilla warfare will go on for a long time.
The Pakistan Embassy called me with the news that the Pakistan Foreign Ministry was working on our visa problem. They first reported that they had heard nothing regarding our request for visas?
We had a meeting tonight to discuss our plans for our time in Penang.
April 30, 1971 Mr. Jorgensen called me this morning reporting that a message had come through from Islamabad but there was nothing new to report. We are still considered to be illegally out of East Pakistan and that the Karachi Immigration officials are against our returning there.
I also learned that the American government is pressing the Karachi officials to let us re-enter East Pakistan. I phoned the Pakistan Embassy again. They assured me they had sent our message and requests to Islamabad for permission to grant us visas.
According to a newspaper report, more than a million people have fled from East Pakistan to India as
May 4, 1971 We had a busy morning. We went first to the Bank of America to pick up some travel checks. Then, we taxied over to the World Travels office and picked up our Penang air tickets.
Today’s news said that the panhandle of East Pakistan, which refers to the area between Chittagong City and Cox’s Bazar, is still under Awami League control as well as some parts of Noakhali and Sylhet districts. West Pakistani people resident in East Pakistan are beginning to fear what might happen to them and are beginning to flee.
On this day, my wife’s sister, Maxine Carlson, after learning that we were safely in Thailand, wrote her the following letter: “It is so good to be getting mail through from you again. Don’t you think you have caused enough gray hairs for one year? Of course, it’s possible you have added a few too!
I did come pretty close to having a heart attack when we heard about the war situation in Bangladesh. I was so burdened, and tension had built up to such a point that I cried out to the Lord, ‘If only we could get some word about them, we don’t even know how to pray.’ At this point I felt led to turn on our radio to the Voice of America station I hadn’t been able to get any news of Bangladesh but this day they reported a
MARTIAL LAW AUTHORITIES, MAIL SERVICE KEOPENED CHITTAONG. inat was good news for us.
The American Embassy feels it is time for you to evacuate. Take the south route to the Burma border. The border guards have been alerted.’
I tell you I just about dropped to the floor my heart was pounding so hard! I ran to the phone and called my husband, Fred, to come home and hear the news A few days later Shirley Harkness arrived home and we pumped her for all the news about the evacuation stories.”
May 8. 1971 Our hotel desk man in Penang told me that a phone call from Bangkok came last night but he couldn’t understand what the guy was talking about. This morning Larry Golin called with news that the Pakistan government had instructed their Embassy in Bangkok to do whatever is necessary for our group to enter West Pakistan via Karachi. This is good news because they will have to stamp in new visas in our passports for all of us! We could then enter East Pakistan later when the political problems there were solved.
I mailed a letter to Reid Minich in Chittagong giving him our news and instructions for him to try and contact us from that end.
Major Zaman, our long-time West Pakistani friend, was rescued by the West Pakistan Military and taken away in safety.
May 5, 1971 I met with our group after breakfast to discuss the visa situation and what we should plan on doing next. We decided to go to Penang for a vacation and return to Bangkok the next Tuesday to check on our visa applications with the American and Pakistan Embassies. After that we would decide whether or not to enter West Pakistan via Karachi.
I took our kids swimming this afternoon at the Liberty Hotel pool. I sent a letter to our Mission treasurer requesting funds for our board and rooms here at the C&MA guest house.
May 6, 1971 Today, 29 of our group decided to leave Bangkok to do the tourist thing in Penang, Malaysia. The Golins would stay in Thailand. Our Thailand tourist visas were about to expire. After a short vacation out of the country we could re-enter Thailand for another two weeks on new tourist visas.
As we were about ready to leave Bangkok for Penang we received word from Mr. Jorgensen that he had received a cable from Islamabad stating that the Pakistan authorities are delaying action on our case and that no answer can be expected before May 13. They also said that our families can get new passports and enter West Pakistan as tourists if they desire. They further said that some East Pakistan missionaries are leaving West Pakistan and are going elsewhere.
Mr. Carlson drove us to the airport where we boarded Thai Airways flight 220 to Penang. We arrived there shortly after noon and booked rooms in the Palm Beach Hotel. I made a call to the American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. They had also received all correspondence concerning our visa case, but had no recent news to report. It was interesting for me to learn that all correspondence regarding our case had been copied to all the Embassies in Asia.
May 7, 1971 Ambassador Jorgensen relayed this message by phone to Mr. Carlsen at the guest house. “The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the Pakistan Embassy (Bangkok) that they are to do whatever is necessary in helping your missionary group to enter Pakistan by way of Karachi.
I called our group together and went over plans to return to Bangkok next week and then fly on to Karachi, West Pakistan. I also received a cable from Dr. Commons stating, “WALSH, HAVE JUST RECEIVED CABLE, OLSEN, KETCHAM, MINICH ALL SAFE, WELL, HAVE GOOD RAPPORT WITH MARTIAL LAW AUTHORITIES, MAIL SERVICE REOPENED CHITTAONG.” That was good news for us.
May 10, 1971 We received word from Reid Minich that Dr. Olsen and Dr. Ketcham, who had stayed to care for the hospital after we left for Burma had a stressful experience. On April 22, Dr. Olsen was riding his motorcycle to the hospital when it suddenly came apart in two pieces throwing him off onto the brick roadway. Later that evening, Dr. Ketcham operated on his broken arm and installed a stainless-steel pin to hold it together.
In his report, dated today, Dr. Olsen reported that they had had several good and favorable contacts with the advancing West Pakistan military. On May 5, the advancing army reached the hospital. There was no resistance of any kind. They stopped and a Major and a Colonel talked with them for about 30 minutes before moving on towards Cox’s Bazar. On May 6, another Colonel (Chittagong District Martial Law Administrator) and a Brigadier General stopped and talked for more than an hour before leaving. On May 9, he had met with the Colonel again in Cox’s Bazar. The sum and substance of these meetings were these points: 1) They are pleased about the hospital and want to keep it open and operating. And, 2) They guaranteed that all hospital staff members, regardless of religion, will be protected and remain safe. They requested that we call our fleeing staff back and put them to work.”.
Receiving this good news, Dr. Olsen notified our hospital employees and Christian friends that it was safe for them to return to Malumghat. Twenty-two families were happy to leave Hebron! He wrote the following report to us in Thailand today, “Dear gang, greetings from Reid, Donn and myself. We are well and we miss you all. We think of you often and pray for you much. It doesn’t seem right to be here without you. How I have enjoyed these few hours of fellowship with Reid. He is doing a tremendous job moving about the city, encouraging, counseling and praying with various people. He has also been able in a very practical fashion to help many people in many ways.
Following your departure on April 21, I immediately called our people together. We considered the situation and made some tentative decisions. During the tensest part of the meeting a sudden, gigantic,
Embassy is ready to help with our visa problems and Dr. Olsen is working from that end to get us back to East Pakistan by May 22nd,
Larry and I went to the Pakistan Embassy this afternoon to talk about getting new Pakistan visas only to find it closed!
LUUPCI.
be active warfare near the hospital. It was decided to evacuate the hospital staff to Hebron and to various villages
The next day, April 22, we were extremely busy implementing the decisions of the night before. My accident happened in the morning. While riding the motorbike at a good clip the main member of the frame cracked and the cycle instantly broke into two pieces. When it collapsed, I was thrown into the road fracturing my right elbow. I made my way to the hospital and arranged an x-ray. We discovered a complicated fracture requiring an operation and insertion of appropriate hardware. We scheduled the operation for 8:00 p.m. It required a long, stainless steel pin, wire stitches and a plaster splint to hold the reduction. The next day, I laid off the pethidine and was clear headed by mid-morning and able to move about and make some contribution. Donn worked like a trooper.
The BANGKOK POST reported that Bangladesh is limping back to life. However, newsmen allowed into Dacca since the March 26 rebellion have found deep scars of bloodshed from the massacre unleashed by Tikka Khan in March. The West Pakistan military may have won this first round but the Bengali Freedom fighters and the Awami League leaders are not ready to quit their efforts for freedom.
Dr. Vic Olsen wrote the following analysis of the war situation, “The Pakistan government and military feel that the whole ‘free Bengal movement was masterminded by the Hindus of India months or years ago before the Agartala conspiracy case. They present evidence that arms and ammunition were flowing into the country before the elections. They state that Mujib’s demands were so great because he had these arms and India was supporting him all the time. It is for this reason that the military have as targets the Hindus as well as the Awami League leaders.”
May 11, 1971 A cable from our Consulate in Dacca to Mr. Carlsen said that Dr. Olsen phoned from Chittagong stating that everything in Malumghat was fine.
This morning we settled our accounts with the Palm Beach Hotel. At noon, we bade goodbye to our colleagues, who were staying longer in Penang, and went to the Penang airport. We arrived in Songkhla, a stopover enroute to Bangkok, at 1:30 p.m. and waited until 4:30 p.m. and were told that we would have to spend the night there. They told us the plane battery wouldn’t take a charge! We wonder what the C&MA people will think about our delay for we had ordered transport to meet us when we arrived in Bangkok?
May 12, 1971 Today we celebrated our youngest child, Diane’s seventh birthday. After breakfast at the Samila Hotel we enjoyed a time of swimming in the hotel pool. We finally left Songkhla at 12:30 p.m. and arrived in Bangkok at 2:30 p.m. Larry Golin was there to meet us.
Larry had a series of messages for me in order as they were received. It appears that the Pakistan Embassy is ready to help with our visa problems and Dr. Olsen is working from that end to get us back to East Pakistan by May 22nd,
May 13, 1971 Joan Olsen and the Golins went with me to the Pakistan Embassy where the Ambassador told us that the only condition imposed on us was that we had to enter Pakistan at Karachi. He then sent me with our passports to the Third Secretary, a Bengali man named Mr. Alam, whose home was in Dacca who would stamp new visas in our passports. After a brief visit with him about the situation in Bangladesh, Mr. Alam rang a desk bell for his peon (assistant) to come. He ordered him to stamp new visas in all our passports. After the peon disappeared I asked Mr. Alam if he would give us four-year multiple entry visas like we used to get when we first came to Pakistan, not the one year visa he was supposed to give now. He rang his desk bell again and told the peon to stamp in four-year multiple entry visas!
Mr. Alam was very sympathetic and kind to me as I had told him in a hush-hush tone about the war going on in East Pakistan. A worried man, he had many questions. As I was leaving he asked me to check on his parents in Dacca if I got the opportunity. I assured him that I would. We learned later that Mr. Alam had defected and declared his loyalty to a free Bangladesh!
This was a big day for me and our group. The Pakistan Embassy granted our whole group new four-year multiple entry visas!
May 14, 1971 Larry Golin told me he heard that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would reopen flights to Dacca on Sunday May 22. This meant that I must make a quick trip to their Bangkok office!
May 15, 1971 Yesterday afternoon Lynn Silvernale, Becky Davey and Jeannie Lockerbie arrived back in Thailand from Penang.
The Bangkok Post today stated that a reporter had given his report to Reuters of his recent visit to East Pakistan. He said that he had an officially conducted tour of East Pakistan with six selected correspondents from out the country. They were the first to be allowed in East Pakistan on an officially conducted tour since the expulsion of all other foreign correspondents on March 26. He reported that their tour was under the supervision of the Pakistan Army and that only after protesting were they allowed to talk to individual people without being monitored by army officers. They were only permitted a few minutes at a time with a handful of independent witnesses before being hurried on to the next place of call.
about our getting new visas and thanked him for his help. Then I took the rest of our group, Kitty Ketcham, Becky Davey & Jeannie Lockerbie, those who stayed on a few more days in Penang, to the Pakistan Embassy where they all got new 4 year visas! After the Pakistan Embassy work we went again to the American Embassy where Mr. Jorgensen was kind enough to help us by sending a telegram to Islamabad asking for permits for us to enter East Pakistan. We had visas for Pakistan but also needed special permits to re-enter into East Pakistan.
We got word that the Adolphs and Gurganuses are okay in Murree. Mary Lou, Linda and Gwen are in Quetta, West Pakistan.
May 19, 1971 I met with Mr. Jorgensen again and learned that Islamabad had reported that missionary evacuees in West Pakistan have been refused entry permits to return to their posts in East Pakistan. They made it clear that entry permits for East Pakistan must be gotten directly from the Home Affairs Ministry in Islamabad. The missionaries were being encouraged to return to their own countries.
We learned that Pakistan International Airline (PIA) flights would be starting service between Bangkok and Dacca. I decided that our group should try to get entry permits for East Pakistan on landing in Dacca. That ‘would be our first stop and where we would have to clear Customs before flying on to Karachi.
Mel Beals and I went to the Bangkok PIA office to check on flights. We talked with a PIA official who called later to say he wanted to talk with us at the Pakistan Embassy the next day. We followed through on his suggestion and met with him. He agreed to try and get tickets for our group to fly to Dacca on May 23rd
I contacted the PIA office later and learned they were holding seats for our group! Mel and I went to the PIA office and picked up the tickets.
May 20, 1971 The DeCook and Beals families returned from Penang today. I took them to the Pakistan Embassy and got new 4-year multiple entry visas for them too. All 34 of us now had valid Pakistan visas! I talked with the PIA official who is trying to get us on next Sunday’s flight to Dacca. I wrote several letters including one to my parents sharing with them our recent news about getting new visas and making plans to fly to Pakistan. Eleanor wrote, “As it stands now the whole group will go to Dacca on Sunday if permission is granted. If it isn’t, the three families and three single girls will fly to Karachi. The Beals, DeCooks and Golins will stay in Bangkok for a while longer.”
trying to decide who was going to Karachi. After prayer and discussion, we finally decided that I should go to take care of official government business. Kitty Ketcham, Joan Olsen and Eleanor and I would proceed to Murree where we had children studying at Murree Christian School. The thirty-four of us had been together for five weeks since leaving the hospital at Malumghat on April 21st. Now, for the first time, our close-knit Malumghat group had to break up. Our 11-year-old son, Phillip, reluctantly joined us in saying “I really don’t think we should break up the group.”
May 23, 1971 PIA provided a bus to pick us up at the C&MA guesthouse at 5 p.m. for our 6:30 p.m. flight to Dacca where we would clear customs before going on to Karachi. Failing permission to stay in East Pakistan, we would go on to Karachi and on up to Murree.
On our flight from Bangkok to Dacca we saw the lights of Chittagong sparkling below us. We all looked down on our former home with a real longing to be back again.
We had a hard landing in Dacca where we had to clear customs. There were no Bengalis at the airport, only armed West Pakistani soldiers. However, Dr. Olsen was there standing behind a locked gate, his arm in a sling, looking for us. The day following our evacuation to Burma he had a motorcycle accident and broke his arm.
I informed Vic that we couldn’t get permits to stay in East Pakistan and that we would be re-boarding the plane again in 45 minutes. His countenance fell at this news. Then, he turned and ran to the airport Air Marshall and convinced him to let us stay in Dacca for one night! Vic hadn’t seen his wife for a month. Permission was granted after a long wait. We could hardly believe we were back in East Pakistan again, at least for one day. Praise God, the Air Marshall gave us one night’s entry permit!
May 24, 1971 This morning Dr. Olsen and I taxied to the Governor’s office and met with him. I shall never forget his question after we explained that we represented the Malumghat Hospital group who had evacuated to Thailand on April 21st at the request of the American government as relayed over the Voice of American radio (VOA). He rang a bell and asked his peon to bring a file. He opened it and looked at it for minute, then looked at me and asked, “Are you Mr. Walsh?” He told us that he had received copies of all the correspondence I had written regarding our visa case. It took a full morning of waiting for his permission to stay in East Pakistan but it was worth it. He gave all of us permits to stay! We then made plans to return to our hospital at Malumghat in Dulahazara. Dr. Olsen played a major role in getting permission for us to stay one night in Dacca! Then the Lord answered our prayers to remain in East Pakistan!
May 22, 1971 I checked on air fares to West Pakistan. In a meeting with our group tonight there was a lot of tension in trying to decide who was going to Karachi. After prayer and discussion, we finally decided that I should go to take care of official government business. Kitty Ketcham, Joan Olsen and Eleanor and I would proceed
May 25, 1971 Following yesterday’s important meeting we had lunch at the Purbani Hotel and then met with the American Consul General Mr. Archer Blood for an hour sharing with him our evacuation stories. We also visited briefly with Richard Wilson in his office. He was the gentleman who came to Malumghat last April
to help us make evacuation plans.
At this point we had to decide whether to go first to Chittagong and Malumghat or go on to West Pakistan to see our children. We all made the decision to go to Malumghat first and later to Murree. I called Mr. Wilson and he agreed to send a telegram to our Murree children for us.
May 29, 1971 Ali, our household helper, and I spent this day getting the house cleaned and organized. After one month away, nature had taken over!
May 26, 1971 Today Vic and I met with District Special Branch (DSB) Major Sardar and he arranged for us to register our permits in Chittagong. We also presented him another petition for the Adolphs, Jean Weld, Mary Lou Brownell, Linda Short and Gwen Geens to enter East Pakistan rather than going to Karachi. We had lunch with Richard Wilson at the American Consulate.
May 27, 1971 Yesterday Dr. Olsen tried to confirm seats for us on tomorrow’s Chittagong flight but they couldn’t give all of us seats on one plane. We went again to the airport this morning at 9:30 a.m. only to learn that there were no seats available. We were bumped in favor of the military.
Eleanor and I decided she should go on to Rawalpindi with our six children. I checked with the PIA office and seats were available. So, tonight they left for Karachi. Earlier that day, the Olsens and Ketchams were able to get to Chittagong. They went on to Malumghat that same day.
May 28, 1971 Our family had spent our time in Dacca with Mark and Ida Tucker, Americans working with the Cholera Research Laboratory. Mark took me to the airport at 9:30 a.m. this morning. I managed to get a seat for Chittagong. After a thorough checking and searching of my luggage by the military, I boarded flight PK 727 for Chittagong. Armed military guards stood at the front of the cabin facing the passengers. The East Pakistan I was in now was much different than the one we left last April 21st. Dacca and Chittagong were empty of the thousands of people that usually filled the streets. Armed West Pakistani military were guarding every corner of the city. The Dacca and Chittagong airport terminals were empty of Bengalis, but surrounded by armed soldiers.
We took off at 10:30 a.m. and got to Chittagong at 11:30 a.m. I found Reid Minich and we went for lunch at the Chin Lung restaurant. After lunch I left Chittagong arriving at Malumghat at 6 p.m. The highway between Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar was empty of vehicles. There was no doubt that thousands of Bengali people had fled either to India, Burma, or were hiding in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. We were back in a country whose borders were closed and with the Pakistan military in firm control.
I ate supper with the Ketchams where I heard stories about the severe persecution going on against the Hindus of Dulahazara. After our meal, Dr. Olsen and I drove to Dulahazara to talk with Fazlul Karim Chowdhury, a longtime resident of Dulahazara. Reportedly, he played a part in an agreement to force local Hindus to become Muslims which he denied when we confronted him about it.
Chapter Eight
HINDU HORROR STORIES
The reader should understand that we missionaries were now back in East Pakistan after being away since April 21st. The Freedom Fighters had lost the battle for independence and freedom. We were still under West Pakistan military control and they were busy rooting out pro-independence rebels and AwamiLeague supporters.
May 29, 1971 I am hearing many sordid stories of Hindus in hiding, of being shot, of women being raped and of widespread looting. I gave rice to a Hindu goldsmith who came begging. He was a rack of bones. More Hindus came today telling stories of their houses being burned, of people being taken away and forced to become Muslims.
May 30, 1971 Major Zia Rahman speaking over the Radio Free Bangladesh said today: “I, Major Zia Rahman, on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, hereby declare the independence of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on this day, May 30, in Chittagong.” Bangabandhu is a term of endearment meaning Friend of Bangladesh.
Major Ziaur Rahman was in the forefront of the war of independence. He and his troops kept Chittagong and Noakhali under control for a period of time. He played a brilliant role in the planning and execution of the liberation war. After the war, he was named the Chief Martial Law Administrator of Bangladesh. On April 21, 1977, he became President of Bangladesh. He was founder of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP).
June 1, 1971 I spent much of the morning dealing with Hindus who want to become Christians to save their lives. Two leaders came from Satkania and one from Noakhali. I referred them to our Bengali church leaders.
One local Hindu man, while fleeing to India, was robbed near a village called Boli Bazar in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. His wife was taken away from him into the jungle, and, when he returned to Dulahazara, found that his house had been torched. He says that local Muslims are lurking everywhere in the jungle areas waiting for the chance to rape fleeing Hindu women and to take their gold jewelry and money.
A Hindu man was admitted in the hospital today. He had been severely beaten by miscreant’s (trouble makers) when he refused to tell them where his daughters were hiding. Then they poured acid on his head, leaving him totally blind.
June 2, 1971 I had several Hindu visitors from the towns of Cheringa, Eidgah, and Moheshkhali this morning. Everyone gave me the same story. Local Muslim leaders were forcing them to convert to Islam by just signing a paper with a revenue stamp affixed! Educated Hindu boys were being taken to Cox’s Bazar and executed. Reports of rape, murder and looting persist. A sad, hopeless feeling came over me. Never in the previous ten years of my service in East Pakistan had I seen or experienced such cruel activity. As American Christians, we feel that every person has the right to choose the religion he or she wishes to follow, and that, without pressure or force.
A former older Muslim leader, who is friendly to us, called me tonight. He told me that a Hindu Mahajan (money lender) was hiding in our hospital and that he is on Thanda Meah’s ‘wanted list. Thanda, in Bengali, means ‘cold’. This local Muslim leader certainly has demonstrated a cold and careless heart. He may have been encouraged by the Pakistan military to carry out anti-Hindu activities. At any rate, his name would come up quite often in the days ahead.
June 3, 1971 I am here alone at Malumghat with the Ketcham family. Reid Minich came yesterday with the tickets for the Ketchams. Kitty Ketcham and three of her children started their trip to West Pakistan and Murree. I took the opportunity to write a letter to my wife and another to Dr. Olsen for her to carry and deliver for me.
I left for Hebron this afternoon. The area seemed quiet and peaceful. But, apparently, the Hindu refugee village people, living across the river, are in trouble and most have fled to India!
June 6, 1971 I left Hebron this afternoon to return to Malumghat and was pleased to see the DeCooks, the Beals, the Golins and Becky Davey. They had returned from Thailand to East Pakistan on last Sunday’s flight.
May 31, 1971 Many Hindus came today telling of houses being burned, of people being taken away and forced to become Muslims. This evening we talked much about the evil going on around us.
Vic and Joan Olsen packed their bags and left for Dacca with their three children. They got away at 6 p.m. for their trip to Murree. They were able to get to Murree in time for their oldest daughter’s graduation.
The rest of our evacuation group was able to fly into Dacca and on to Chittagong today.
Dr. Ketcham left today to join his wife in Murree, West Pakistan.
Today a Hindu from Chittagong came to talk with me about becoming a Christian. His wife was a staff nurse in the Chittagong Port Trust Hospital. I encouraged him to talk with the Bengali church leaders. He was scared to death, living like a hunted animal, and is now searching for any way out of the present danger.
Two men from the CARE organization (Co-operative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) came this evening. We had a long discussion about the current situation. Before they left, they gave us $1,000 to help with the area relief work. CARE is a leading humanitarian organization providing disaster relief and fighting poverty in East Pakistan.
A rumor came to me today that Mr. Thanda Meah had called more Hindus to the Community Center and told them they had to convert to Islam or else they would face trouble.
June 7, 1971 When I returned from Hebron I was happy to see the DeCooks, Beals and Golin families back at Malumghat.
The situation in the country is bad. In our area, the Hindus are being forced to embrace the Muslim religion. Burning and looting in some areas around the hospital has calmed down because we missionaries have done enough to control the situation. We heard that all Hindus on Moheshkhali Island have converted to Islam. A new rumor in Dulahazara is that Hindus have until tomorrow to convert to Islam. One Christian boy came to us requesting that the Hindu girls, living on hospital property, marry Christian boys within the next two days. I told him that this decision is their parent’s responsibility, not ours.
Many Hindus are running from place to place. It is a sad thing to see injustice on innocent people. If we had room on the hospital property, and permission to act, we could shelter thousands of people who keep coming to us day after day.
June 8, 1971 News today is that all 100 and 500 taka notes must be turned in to the banks immediately! This news of the demonetization of the currency has sent the countryside into an uproar. I spent time getting mission money ready. This requires us to record identification numbers on each bill.
More Hindus came to me tonight for refuge and to deposit their money for safety. They feel that they can trust us because we are Christians. They say they are being hunted down because they have money. Many believe that the government will harass them if they turn in their money, or they will take a portion off the top as tax for their own pockets.
News on VOA reports that nearly five million refugees have crossed the borders into India and that some 10,000 have died from a cholera outbreak. A report tonight says that several Hindu girls did indeed marry Christian boys today.
June 9, 1971
June 9, 1971 I spent this morning typing lists of serial numbers on 100 and 500 rupee notes.
A new martial law order has called for all the money to be turned in tomorrow (June 10 This news has everybody even more upset! By the time Becky Davey and I finished recording numbers on hospital money, we had 79,700 rupees ($15,940) to turn in to a Bank in Cox’s Bazar and 45,000 ($9,000) for a bank in Cheringa.
I drove to Cox’s Bazar and deposited the money. Later I met with the ruling Pakistan major at the old beach-side government guest house. He told me that Hindus could return to their homes. No problem. He said that the government had no policy to exploit the poor and agreed that we could help them. I talked to him about the nefarious activities of Mr. Thanda Meah, chairman of the Dulahazara Union Council. He said he would look into the matter.
A Hindu employee of WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) came and thanked me for saving his life. He said he had come several days ago with the Awami League men to install a radio in our hospital and we refused to let it happen.
June 10, 1971 Today is my 39th birthday! We deposited another 8,000 rupees ($1,600) in the Cheringa Muslim Commercial Bank. This was money that came in late from various sources, including local Hindus.
Thanda Meah is supposed to make an important announcement in the Dulahazara Bazar today regarding the Hindu situation.
June 11, 1971 During the night, I realized that we had forgotten to declare the church money. I was relieved when I found out later that it was all in small rupee denominations. Only 100 and 500 notes were to be surrendered at the banks and they had none.
My friend Major Zaman, a non-Bengali, came to see me. I took him into the hospital and showed him the Hindu man who was blinded by the acid that had been poured over his head. I wanted to impress on him the evil that was going on in the country. Major Zaman is a former West Pakistani officer who retired and had settled in the Chittagong Hill Tracts years ago. He owns a small farm in the Hill Tracts. He had entertained our family on several occasions in past years and remained a friend of our missionaries.
June 12, 1971 Major Zaman and I made a trip to Cox’s Bazar where we talked with the West Pakistan Major about the persecution going on in Dulahazara. He promised us he would come tomorrow to check this out. On our way home Thanda Meah stopped us on the road in Dulahazara Bazar. Major Zaman told him about the purpose of our Cox’s trip, that we talked with authorities about Hindu conversions to Islam against their will. The Chairman seemed a bit disturbed. He later called on me at the hospital. I also told him that he
He denied his participation. He seemed frightened now. He then ordered his men to find one Mr. Nasiruddin whose name I had mentioned as one of the leaders in the persecution activity.
Back at Malumghat, I sent all the Hindus who came back yesterday to their homes. Later it was reported to me that Thanda Meah is taking our warning seriously.
June 13, 1971 News came that Thanda Meah had called all Hindus to meet him at 10 a.m. at the Community Center. Hearing this, I sent word to Major Zaman to come. Thanda Meah was making a list of all the Hindus in his Union and under his Chairmanship. I told him about the Hindus working at the hospital. He refused at first to list them, but changed his mind and later came to the hospital. I took him and others to see the acid-blinded Hindu man in the hospital
Just then, a jeep pulled in with the military Major from Cox’s Bazar. I took the Major to see the blind man. At that point the Major called for Thanda Meah and, in front of me and others, gave him a tongue lashing and orders to get the Hindus back to their own properties and to quit harassing them. This was a major victory for us missionaries to see the persecution stopped. Before he left we served the major and his men tea and biscuits (cookies). Many Hindus returned in safety to their homes today.
with us. He is under orders to see that the Hindus get their properties back.
I packed today for my trip to Chittagong and Dacca to meet Eleanor and children when they return from Murree on the 20th.
Mary Lou, Gwen and Linda arrived from town this morning. I left for town at 2 p.m. and stayed with Reid. I composed a letter for Dr. Commons with the news that all 34 of us were back Pakistan after a month of wandering in uncertainty. After evacuating from East Pakistan five weeks earlier, we had often asked ourselves the question ‘why did this have to happen’? What could be God’s purpose in it all? There seemed to be no answer until God granted us those hard-to-get multiple entry visas. Then it became clear…. the WHY had been answered!
I wrote a letter to my folks in Michigan in which I said, “The situation here has become much quieter these past few days since we finally persuaded the military authorities to take action against one of the community leaders whose gang of thugs has been raping Hindu women, tearing down their houses, looting their money and gold, and driving them into the jungle to hide like animals. People have been coming to me crying and telling of their sons being shot in cold blood just because they were educated!
June 14, 1971 This was a fairly quiet day after all the events of the past week. We had no more problems with Thanda Meah. The Hindus are proceeding to their homes. We gave them 12 bushels of rice as they left. There are reports that new waves of refugees are crossing into India because of the spot executions of men and abduction of women.
I sent Larry Golin to Chittagong today with a letter requesting the Bank to release our money. He was turned away with a promise that the military would release it soon. WAPDA power came on at 5:30 p.m. after being off for more than a week!
June 16, 1971 There are reports that new waves of refugees are crossing into India again. The reasons given were automatic executions and women abduction.
I got a telegram from Eleanor today saying she was returning from West Pakistan on June 20th. The runner also brought news that Mary Lou Brownell, Gwen Geens and Linda Short had arrived in Chittagong. Slowly, our hospital staff was returning!
A request from Jeannie Lockerbie and Lynn Silvernale to move from town to the hospital was approved at our Station Committee meeting tonight. They found it difficult to move around in town.
June 17, 1971 Thanda Meah came to see me this morning. I spent an hour with him. He is asking for full cooperation with us. He is under orders to see that the Hindus get their properties back.
June 20, 1971 The Karachi flight arrived at 4 p.m. with my family. I was excited to see Eleanor and our five children and glad to have them back in East Pakistan. Governor Tikka Khan came in on the same flight! I caught a glimpse of him as he was driving out of the airport.
Eleanor reported how God had taken care of them on their return trip. They had been informed that they had to spend the night in Karachi at their own expense. She wondered how she would care for the expense for the six of them. As the plane approached Karachi, it turned back. The pilot explained that there was a storm in Karachi and that they would be landing in Lahore where they would spend the night. The airline paid for their overnight and food!
Eleanor said it was wonderful to be ‘home’ again. Most everything is back in place now and it looks like we are living back to normal again. It seems strange not to have Linda and Doug here. It doesn’t seem right without seven kids at the table!
June 21, 1971 Yesterday Mark Tucker and I went to visit with Qazi Jalal Ahmed. We could tell he was nervous to be working for the Pakistan government. No doubt he feared to defect which could mean the loss of his life. But, Jalal was eager to help us with our relief and rehabilitation efforts.
We went again to see Qazi Jalal. We discussed our demonetized money problem and our need for relief supplies for the Hindus. He agreed to put me in contact with the current government Relief Commissioner. He had made a 10 a.m. appointment for me to see this man who graciously agreed to give us relief status if the Chittagong District Commissioner would recommend us to him.
We went again to the American Consulate and met with Terry Meyers. We talked with him about the
hundreds of local people are safe because of it.
ready to send with us. I tried to call Qazi Jalal to report on my visit with the Relief Commissioner but he was busy in a meeting with General Tikka Khan.
June 23, 1971 Hard rains today! Mr. Terry Meyer’s driver took Eleanor and me and kids to the Dacca airport. Reid Minich was there in Chittagong to meet us. I left the family there and went to see the D.C. regarding getting our organization recognized as a relief agency. He agreed to help us. This evening we left Chittagong for home at Malumghat. A military officer checked our luggage at Dohazari.
A new military major came to Dulahazara today and met with Thanda Meah. Thanda Meah wants us to see that he has a good relationship with the Major.
June 24, 1971 We had hard rains today. I spent some of the morning at my desk clearing up on pending business. I worked on a letter regarding our relief status.
Momin Chowdhury came this evening to tell me that the new Major in charge of our area was coming to Dulahazara tomorrow for a meeting with the Ansars (a para-military force working under the police), Moulvis (Muslim priests), and gun license holders.
June 25, 1971 I completed my letter to the D.C and Jack Soldate of CARE regarding our new relief status. Major Zaman stopped in today to discuss the current situation in the country. He also requested the loan of a vehicle to which we agreed.
We had had cases of Hindu men coming to the hospital with infected penises caused by Muslims circumcising them for conversion. Sad!
June 27, 1971 It has been raining incessantly for the past week. The situation in the country is touchy. We hear of battles going on north of Chittagong. Bombs explode here and there in the cities. We hear of local leaders who are co-operating with the Pakistan military being killed. India is helping the Bengali Freedom fighters Tomorrow President Yahya Khan is to make a speech to the nation. Perhaps we will know what to expect in the future from what he says?
I end this chapter by saying the situation here has become much quieter since we persuaded the military authorities to take action against one of the community leaders whose gang of thugs has been raping Hindu women, tearing down their houses, looting their money and gold, and driving them into the jungle to hide like animals. Had we not gone to bat with the military I’m afraid that hundreds would have died from either bullets or exposure. It appears that what the military did for us here is against their broader policy in the country. Praise God, our Christian influence has stood us in good stead and hundreds of local people are safe because of it.
Moheskhali Island. He has been living here in fear. I also sent a note to Mr. Nasiruddin Ahmed (infamous crook) and asked him to turn over the Hindu gold smith’s gold.
July 6, 1971 At a meeting tonight, we decided to purchase 10 acres of land in Cha Bagan. Mel Beals and I have plans to develop the area with fruit trees and pineapples and to make temporary shelters for needy people.
Chapter Nine
RELIEF AND REHABILITATION
July 7, 1971 Mary Lou Brownell came and talked with me about refugees from Shatkania and Moheshkhali. The problem of Hindus returning to their homes is still with us. They are living in fear wondering about their futures. Momin reported that more Hindu properties were seized today by the Muslims.
July 8, 1971 I drove to Cox’s Bazar and met with the bank manager regarding the release of our demonetized money. He called the State Bank in Chittagong to learn that there is no directive yet for money over1o,000 rupees ($2,000) to be released.
Next I visited the new military major in charge of our area. He is a young and friendly man. He served me fruit and tea. He asked me to help him locate persecuted Hindus. I invited him to come to our hospital and he agreed.
Back at Malumghat we learned that Thanda Meah and a group of men had arrested two Awami League Muslim leaders. This action has the pubic upset. Is he following a new policy of search and kill to help the West Pakistan military?
During the past 10 years we had enjoyed communal peace in our part of East Pakistan. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians were living normal lives as neighbors. We missionaries hired men and women from each of these religious groups. Discrimination was not known until the Pakistan army swept through the countryside targeting the Hindu people. The martial law political emphasis made it easy for local Muslim leaders to join in with a persecution mentality. The Thanda Meah story is one example of taking advantage of the political situation. The Hindu upheaval caused many people to flee to us for help. A basic tenant of Christianity is to comfort and help people who are suffering. So, we started a relief and rehabilitation ministry.
July 1, 1971 Radio news today reports that up to 90,000 people a day are crossing over into India.
I wrote a letter for a Hindu boy to give to his Union Council Chairman. It was a request for the Chairman to act on his behalf.
I tried to send a telegram to my folks but got this reply from the Western Union Telegraph Company “We regret that because of a strike it was necessary to handle the enclosed message in this manner. Normal delivery service will be resumed as soon as possible.”
July 2, 1971 I will survey the house repair needs of the Hindu people and employees living on our property. I met with one Syeed Ahmed regarding his persecution of a Hindu family. He told me he will stop the oppression.
July 3, 1971 I spent the morning interviewing our employees about their house damages. The Muslims have deliberately destroyed many of their roofs so that the rains would destroy the house interiors. How Satanic!
July 4, 1971 I wrote a letter for a Hindu man who has been staying on our property but who wants to go his home on
July 9, 1971 Hindus from Harbang came to report that their persecution had slackened as a result of my letter to their Union Council Chairman. This was good news but other Hindus came asking me to write notes requesting that they get their cattle back that the Muslims had stolen.
Another Hindu came reporting that some of his relatives were converted to Islam. He requested us to come and teach 60 houses about Christianity. I told him to put a request in writing for the Bengali church leaders to consider.
Momin reported the release of the Awami League Muslim leaders who were arrested yesterday by Thanda Meah. That matter seems settled now.
July 12, 1971 A man from Chittagong brought several patients for our doctors to see. He reported that five young men were shot to death at the Dacca airport. This afternoon Leslie Gonsalves and I made a trip to town for supplies. Leslie, our hospital workshop manager, would purchase materials needed for our relief work in repairing Hindu homes.
Momin went to get the police to come and check on the gunshot wounds received by eight patients who have come to the hospital.
A report came today saying that the rebels blew up several electrical plants and towers in Dacca. There was also a report of heavy military action and bombs exploding in Barisal and Dacca.
wach.
Eleanor wrote to her parents, “Jay left for Chittagong today to take care of some business. He is trying to get recognized as a relief agency so we can help the needy in our area. Many have lost everything. Jay gets the brunt of handling all these people. We need lots of prayer!”
July 13, 1971 I met with the D.C. this morning. He said he would act on our request to become a relief distributing organization. I then went to the New Market and found the dokans (shops) shuttered because a bomb had exploded in the area. Back at our guesthouse Leslie Gonsalves reported on a bomb blast in Lal Dighi in front of the National Bank that killed several people. The military rushed in and killed more people! He also reported gunfire near the Telegraph office and other places.
July 14, 1971 I spent another day in Chittagong running errands. I learned that the bomb blast last night went off near the National Bank and that anywhere between five and 130 people were killed before the military were finished.
Reid Minich and I met with the C.A.R.E men this afternoon regarding our relief needs. Mr. Jack Soldate assured us that they will definitely help us.
July 15, 1971 I returned to Malumghat this afternoon. The military guards stopped me at Dohazari and searched my vehicle.
News of more bombs blowing off has made the public rather jumpy. There is evidence that the freedom fighters are becoming more active!
July 16, 1971 The news today is that American President Nixon has decided to accept Chinese Chairman Mao’s invitation to visit Peking in May 1972. This announcement came last night in a special address to the nation. This, no doubt, means that the East Pakistan situation will not be given much attention by him.
July 18, 1971 I was in Dacca on business last week. Several bombs went off while I was there. People were quite shaky. Things are not back to normal in the cities yet. We hear that the Mukti Bahini is doing a lot of damage in Dacca. The electricity was interrupted for 22 hours while I was there.
Here at Malumghat things seem quite normal except for a steady stream of people who come seeking help and telling stories of oppression and persecution. This country needs much prayer.
We hear that the American government has dropped its aid program with Pakistan. Great Brittan is also opposed to what is going on here. One wonders just what the future holds?
July 19, 1971
July 21, 1971 I listened to a new case of three Hindu-owned cows being stolen by Muslims and told they would have to pay 40 rupees ($8.00) each to get them back.
There are rumors that Thanda Meah will not be appointed Union Council Chairman again!
The hospital has had several Hindu men come today for treatment of infected penises because they had been forcefully converted and circumcised
July 26, 1971 Today I purchased 1000 bamboos for 170 rupees (about $34) for our relief work. We are getting many requests for help to repair damaged roofs. During the past several weeks we were able to help needy Hindus with bamboo and thatch to repair their homes. We continue to give out rice supplied by the government as per our agreement.
CARE gave us $1,000 to use for relief work for which I am responsible to distribute. We are trying to get officially recognized as a relief organization.
I learned today the rumor that 100 and 500 rupee notes were being bought up and smuggled to Arabia. They were sold there for a profit.
Momin reported that money over 10,000 rupees is now being released by the banks. A tax (tip) is levied to speed up the process!
July 27, 1971 I talked with a Hindu High School teacher who came back after being away since April. He told of being looted at the Gorjunia border crossing point. He owns two acres of land in Eidgah.
I went to Cox’s Bazar this morning but couldn’t get our money from the bank. I was told that there was no official form to cover the hospital money. He would have to send a telegram to Islamabad for permission to release our deposit.
It has been raining incessantly this past week. The situation in the country is touchy. We hear of battles going on north of Chittagong. Bombs are being exploded here and there in the cities. We hear of local leaders co-operating with the Military Government are being sought out and killed. India reportedly is now helping the Bengali Freedom Fighters and this enrages the Pakistan military even more with their reprisals.
Tomorrow President Yahya Khan is to make a speech to the nation. Perhaps we will know what to expect in the future from what he says. Everyone here is wondering about the outcome of it all?
Chapter Ten
BENGALI FREEDOM FIGHTERS RISE UP
July 28, 1971 I learned that Durga Mahajan paid 15,000 rupees ($3,000) to the military for his life and those of his two sons.
We began helping people in a variety of ways. We got a request for help from several evacuees returning from Burma. They needed rice and a place to stay. Another person came asking for work and still another wanted a letter from us, so he could travel safely. An American letter carries significant weight for those we helped.
Today I listened to a speech by President Yahya Khan. He announced an austerity program for the nation. He asked all Awami League leaders, who weren’t anti-state, to come forward and support the government. He announced that Martial Law would continue until normalcy returns in the country.
July 29, 1971 I talked with a Hindu man from Harbang this afternoon. He told me that dacoity (robbing), and raping was going on in the villages around Harbang. It is reported that one Union Council member is active in it. I wrote a letter to the Union Council chairman requesting him to stop.
A Hindu money lender came tonight and put his gold jewelry in my possession. People now have great fear of losing their possessions. In fact, many Hindus are coming to us to deposit their gold ornaments and extra money for safe keeping.
July 30, 1971 Today one of our Hindu hospital employees reported his house was entered by some Muslim field workers. They took some of his house beams, cut down his banana trees and destroyed his garden.
I interviewed our hospital employees today about damages to their homes. Trouble makers have deliberately destroyed their roofs so that the rain would damage the interiors. How Satanic!
I have ordered several thousands more of bamboo and chon (a grass thatch) for repairing damaged Hindu homes. Our missionary team is facing a huge challenge ahead as we do what we can to help the poor.
With all the bad news of the past weeks, we started welcoming the good news. Bengali freedom fighters began to strike at targets that would weaken West Pakistan military control and eventually give independence and freedom to their people. During the Martial law crackdown, most all the young men associated with the Awami League political party had fled to the jungles or to India. But, in time, after receiving guerrilla warfare training, they made plans to return to East Pakistan and attack targets of the military regime. Their activities began slowly with explosions, here and there, with homemade bombs. What the freedom fighters started to do before the West Pakistan military crackdown on March 25th, they were determined to go a second round against their enemy.
July 4, 1971 This past week the President of Pakistan made a speech that sounded good but it remains to be seen if anything happens as long as the Pakistan army is spread throughout the land. Unless something is worked out politically, we can expect that the Communists might eventually come into power. In fact, it is generally believed that the banned Awami League people will join forces with the Communists to try and regain their country. The political situation is not good. Much will depend on what the United States will do, if anything, about the whole problem.
After church, I wrote a letter for a Hindu man who lives on Moheshkhali Island. He has lived there in fear for a long time but fled when the Muslims were active in converting his people to Islam. He wanted a travel letter identifying him with our hospital. How interesting what a simple hospital letterhead will do to keep people safe and out of trouble!
July 6, 1971 A note from Reid Minich says “There have been more bomb throwing incidences keeping the city on edge. New Market was closed for one day last week after a bomb had been thrown. Reports are that Sadarghat was the latest area under attack by the Pakistan military. About a dozen cars were stopped on Ice Factory Road by several soldiers who smashed windshields and pounded the cars with their rifle butts. There are more and more ‘To Let’ (For Sale) signs being posted in Chittagong. West Pakistani people are trying to sell their properties, fearing what could happen should East Pakistan gain independence.”
After the temporary defeat of the Awami League, and when the Military re-possessed the country, there was a concentrated effort by the authorities to drive out all Hindu people. Their houses were burned to the ground. People were left to wander like animals in the jungles. In our immediate area, more than 87 Hindu homes were burned. At one time, we had nearly 400 people taking refuge on the hospital property! Most of their stories were the same – their women were raped, their few possessions looted, and in many cases, they were forced to convert to Islam on the pain of losing their land. Many of them reported that local neighbors came in and stole their rice. The terrible injustice and suffering by these minority people has been extremely difficult for us missionaries to see.
July 8, 1971 I drove to Cox’s Bazar and met with the bank manager regarding release of the demonetized money we had deposited earlier. He phoned the State Bank in Chittagong to learn that there is no directive yet for the release of money over 10,000 rupees ($2,000). I also visited the new West Pakistani Major over our district. He is a young and friendly guy. He served me fruit and tea and then asked me to name some of the anti-Hindu trouble makers in our area. I invited him to come to Malumghat, and he agreed.
Back at Malumghat we learned that a man named Thanda Meah and a group of his followers had arrested two Awami League Muslims. This has everybody upset. This activity seems be a new search and kill policy. If the report is true, this would prove to the military that he is supporting their efforts to destroy the Awami League supporters of the Dulahazara area. Thanda Meah could make more points and gain influence with the ruling Major by doing this.
July 9, 1971 Several Harbang Hindus came to report that persecution in their area had lessened because of the letter I had written to their Union Council Chairman warning him that his activity was wicked. Other Hindus came to see if they could get their demonetized money back that I had been deposited in the bank. Another Hindu came and reported that some of his relatives were forcibly converted to Islam.
Several Hindus came asking me to write a letter requesting authorities on Moheshkhali Island to return their properties that had been confiscated. It seems like our days are filled hearing people’s problems and miseries and trying to help them.
July 18, 1971 I learned today that several Hindus have been shot up quite badly about 30 miles from here and will be brought in to the hospitals for treatment.
Many Hindus that evacuated to India had to leave their old relatives behind. These people come regularly to us for help. They have no income and need help. It is sad to see these old people suffering such misery
July 27-29, 1971 I went to Cox’s Bazar but couldn’t get our money back from the bank. The Manager said that they still had not received the right legal form to cover our hospital money. They will have to send another telegram to Islamabad for it.
I learned that a wealthy Hindu, Durga Mahajan, paid 15,000 rupees ($3000) to the military to spare his life and those of his sons. We also heard that two Union Council Chairmen were shot dead near Ukhia. Most of these Union Council chairman were Muslims with power and who took advantage of the antiHindu activity. They also became the target of the Freedom Fighters. No doubt they were cooperating with the military.
August 4. 1971 We heard a rumor that an important Muslim leader from Satkania was shot yesterday. Also, that Thanda Meah is now in hiding in Cox’s Bazar for fear of his life. It is quite evident that Hindu Freedom Fighters are now involved with efforts to kill those Muslims who persecuted the Hindu communities after the military crackdown began.
August 5, 1971 Reid Minich came from Chittagong with the news that there were many Pakistani military on the road to Cox’s Bazar. He heard a rumor that the Karnaphuli Bridge was an attempted target of the Mukti Fouj.
Rumors are also flying that things in Dacca are getting pretty hot. West Pakistan military are cracking down on the East Pakistani rebels.
August 6, 1971 One word that might well portray the events of the past four months is CHANGE. No period during our time in the country can quite compare with it. Events have happened so fast that it has been difficult to keep up with them, let alone analyze them. We have seen and lived a part of history in the making.
There has been much change in the political situation. Following on the tail of last November’s killer cyclone (tabbed as the world’s greatest national disaster) which brought East Pakistan into world headlines, came the political cyclone in March. It has mercilessly torn the country apart and left it a different place. Those of us who arrived back in East Pakistan after the evacuation experience (April 21 to end of May) were especially struck hard with this fact. The military presence was visible everywhere and still is. That there had been a severe military crackdown nobody could deny. Today the army appears to be completely in control of the country despite some insurgency activity in the border areas.
March 25th has become a famous day in Pakistan (or infamous depending on your view). On the night of March 25th President Yahya Khan called on his toughest general, Tikka Khan, to crust the banned Awami League Party which had won a solid majority of the National Assembly seats in last December’s popular election. The army delighted in their task of purging the anti-State elements from East Pakistan. Countless thousands of unarmed people were killed over several days. Nearly one-seventh of the population has fled across the borders to India in fear of their lives.
Blaming the Bengali insurrection as an Indian plot to destroy Pakistan, the army made the East Pakistan Hindus their special target. The result, almost 100 percent of the Hindus have lost their homes and property and are living in Indian refugee camps.
These have been very trying days for us missionaries. The killing, oppression, persecution, torture, raping and looting which we have witnessed has made us keenly aware of the total depravity of men’s hearts.
August 10, 1971
me that the West Pakistan military are a bit puzzled at the recent bombings and that many of their soldiers are also dying. It is obvious that India is getting active in routing out the Pakistan Military.
Joe and I went to the Governor’s House in Chittagong and talked with a General JFR Jacob about our money problem. He seemed interested and said he will help. Likely this is a fruitless promise. The fact that he was in Chittagong indicates proof that the Indian Army had already penetrated there. General Jacob is the Indian General in charge of their Eastern Command.
August 22, 1971 During my time in Chittagong, I met with some military officers on certain persecution matters. The day before I got here, several bombs went off at the jetty damaging Pakistani ships. One of the blasts, according to local the people, really shook the town. Whoever is doing the bombing is quite successful and managed to keep the public on edge. No one knows when something like this will happen again. The Government is doing its best to stop such activity. Time and Newsweek magazines are covering the situation here quite well.
A Hindu lady with her three daughters came to us for refuge. Her husband, a Cox’s Bazar Police Inspector, is missing, along with her two older boys. Her two smaller sons are in a Buddhist home in Cox Bazar. What a pitiful story! She fears that the Pakistan military have taken them away.
Politically, the situation in the country is troubling because the trial of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is set for tomorrow. It will be a secret military trial in West Pakistan.
The West Pakistan government canceled the Dacca visit of US Senator Ted Kennedy who is presently visiting India and had planned to stop in East Pakistan.
August 16, 1971 Yesterday was Pakistan’s Independence Day (the day when the new nation of Pakistan was carved out of India) but the local East Pakistan school kids did not celebrate.
A new civilian fighting force has been raised up by the Pakistan Military called the Razakars. Today these turncoat Razakars hoisted Pakistan flags in place of the Freedom Fighters’ new flags. This body of young men, mostly Bengali toughs, carries rifles and 30 rounds of ammunition. They check buses and cars moving between here and Chittagong.
The Razakars were officially created by the West Pakistan military, trained and paid by them, to be an auxiliary fighting force against the Freedom Fighters. They support the present Military government now in control in East Pakistan. They are fighting against the Bengali rebels.
Dr. Joe DeCook and I drove to Chittagong to talk with the Income Tax Commissioner and to submit our application for getting our 79,700 rupees (approximately $1600) back. He told us he would check into this (but probably not in a hurry in our thinking).
We learned that last night that the Freedom Fighters bombed two ships in Chittagong Harbor. Later we learned the two damaged ships had sunk.
Another rumor is that four truckloads of Punjabi bodies were brought in for burial. Trapping military with nets may be the reason.
August 18, 1971 I went to the Agrabad Hotel to confirm my booking to Karachi in September to work on pending visa cases and to be with our two oldest children, Doug and Linda, during their school break. The PIA agent, a West Pakistani gentleman, seemed pretty nervous and is thinking of leaving East Pakistan. He also told
August 23-31, 1971 In Chittagong, I went to the CARE office. Mr. Soldate presented me a check for Rupees 8,600 for our relief project.
BBC reported today of three damaged ships in Chittagong’s harbor and one of them had sunk. Damage to boats in Narayanganj was also mentioned.
Today I arranged for the Pakistan military to take our Pathan hospital guards back to West Pakistan for their own safety. Our guards felt relieved after I told them what I had done. Our local Pakistan Major, in charge of our district, was not pleased with our decision. Perhaps he felt that we might be thinking the game was over for West Pakistan?
On the way to Chittagong, the Kalurghat police gave me a hard time, but when I mentioned General Jacob’s name, they laid off.
I wrote a thank you letter to the Fifth Grade Class of the International School of Frankfort, Germany in which I said, “What a wonderful and generous gift you have sent to be used to help the cyclone affected boys and girls of this country. We have put your money into our relief account and are using it for purchasing medicines for needy children”.
September 1-13, 1971 I made a business trip to West Pakistan to work on pending visa cases for new missionaries Jack and Margaret Archibald, Joe and Mary Massey and Sue Breckley and to see our children Douglas and Linda, students at the Murree Christian School.
Back in Dacca I visited my friend Qazi Jalaluddin Ahmed. We discussed the current political situation. He told me that he hates this Pakistan military regime and is serving in the government under duress.
Back in Chittagong today to work on getting our 79,700 rupees (approximately $1600) returned to us.
We were unsuccessful. There has been one delaying tactic after another.
We have learned interesting news of Mukti Fouj activity. They are catching the turncoat Razakars and cutting off their noses and ears.
September 27, 1971 I went to Cox’s Bazar today and finally was able to get our 79,700 rupees back. Yeah!
A PIA officer told me that there is heavy movement of non-Bengali people from East Pakistan to West Pakistan. He used the word panic!
September 29, 1971 The Freedom Fighters continue to set off bombs damaging properties faster than the government can repair them. Three more ships have been bombed in the Chalna Port. It looks like we are entering a period of long unrest. The Government is trying to keep things quiet and under control but with so many Bengalis in India preparing to return to East Pakistan, it appears that more fighters are being trained to return and fight.
October 2, 1971 I am keeping busy with rebuilding homes of people that were burned out during the trouble here in March and April. So far we have completed eight houses.
This past week we heard a report that a group of Bengali rebels came to a town ten miles south of us and kidnapped a bridge guard and injured two others. We hear reports of killings quite often now. Bombs go off occasionally in Chittagong. The border areas are in turmoil as fighting is going on regularly. There is a lot of restlessness these days on the part of the general public. We live in a swarm of rumors unable to know how to sort them out. One piece of news is true: some electric towers have been blown up between Kaptai Dam and Chittagong causing a power loss to the city.
We heard today that the Mukti Bahini is starting to burn Mogh villages because Maung Prue is accepting a ministry post with the Pakistan military government.
October 8, 1971 Reid Minich sent me a note today telling of some rebel activity yesterday. “Two bombs exploded and I was within 100 yards of the second one. My ears were still ringing for an hour afterwards!”
October 9, 1971 India is threatening unilateral action against Pakistan over the refugee situation. We heard today that the U.S. Senate voted against the new financial aid bill for Pakistan.
The Razakars are hated for co-operating with the Pakistan Government. The Freedom Fighters, if they catch them, cut off their ears or noses and then turn them loose. A number of them have been killed or wounded. Several have been admitted to our hospital for treatment.
The Razakars became a problem for General Niazi who hired them in his effort to control the country. When asked why, he replied that he was under orders by the Central Government in Islamabad to do so. He had asked Islamabad for one more division of troops to help him control the situation in East Pakistan but they had expressed their inability to do so. Instead, they ordered him to raise the required division from among the local Bengalis who, according to them, were loyal and plenty available, and who would shed their last drop of blood for Pakistan. General Niazi said he had no choice but to carry out their orders.
There have been many Union Council Chairmen killed in our district. Our local Chairman, Thanda Meah, moves about with a half dozen body guards to protect him. Since my last confrontation with him he has completely dropped from public activity. For a period of time, he fled to Chittagong for safety after he received a letter telling him to prepare for his burial (no, I didn’t send it!).
October 10, 1971 Today a man was brought to the hospital with two hands cut off! Another was badly beaten. They had been killed and hands severed near Teknaf. It is reported to be Mukti Fouj activity. Another report today says that the Mukti Bahini exploded a bomb and robbed the American Express Bank in Dacca. The Freedom Fighters are taking their anger out on local Muslim leaders who continue to support the present government. India is openly backing the Freedom Fighters in their efforts to bring independence to their country.
October 12, 1971 Started my trip to Chittagong in my Scout but it broke down in Cheringa. Wish the Freedom Fighters had kept it! I returned to Malumghat by rickshaw and bus. I borrowed Mel Beal’s Rover and finally made it to town.
I listened to President Yahya Khan’s radio speech tonight. He sounded like there might be open conflict with India. He also announced the upcoming elections. There is another rumor that the Governor of East Pakistan, Monem Khan, was shot today by ‘miscreants.’ He was loyal to the present military government and it may be that he was the victim of the Freedom Fighters. A rumor today is that the PIA is camouflaging the tops of their buses. Do they fear Indian bombs?
October 15, 1971 Another Razakar was brought in from Lama today with a bullet through his lung that exited his back. The Lama Police Thana (Station) was sacked and all guns stolen by the Mukti Bahini. Thana records were burned. The Officer in Charge of the police station fled. Two policemen were taken away with the rebels.
BBC news reports that Pakistan and Indian troops are massing in border areas facing each other.
Qazi Jalal’s wife had successful gall bladder surgery in our hospital and he has come to see her. He had some good news for Reid Minich. He managed to get the case against him dropped and that he would get a new one-year visa!
Jalal’s son sent a report that three days ago eight bombs went off at the same time and that there was open gun-firing in Mohakhali.
October 18, 1971 Hill Tracts Ali Meah Member’s house was burned down by the Mukti Fouj. He had taken looted goods from the Hindus.
Thanda Meah was fired on last night but escaped. The Mukti Fouj are after him for the way he has persecuted the local Hindu population.
Several Jeep loads of military went to Lama today. Qazi Jalal, who is still at our hospital with his wife, got a letter from the Chief Secretary of Home Ministry that disturbs him. No reasons were given, just an inquiry?
We purchased 4000 more bamboos today for our relief ministry. War seems imminent. BBC says that the Bengali refugees must go back safely, or else!
This evening I wrote a report to our colleagues in the USA in which I mentioned the following points. “With news breaking almost every hour I thought you would like to know what’s going on. There is no doubt that round #two has started (guerilla fighting). We are now seeing guerilla warfare that the Awami League leaders promised would happen. It is getting stronger all the time. One of our Bengali friends is feeding a large group of Mukti Bahini just east of our hospital. He brought 50,000 rupees ($10,000) to me for safe keeping. There have been numerous bomb reports including one near Lynn and Jeannie’s house in town and another exploded near our guesthouse. The rebels are all well-armed and apparently well trained. We expect things to get much hotter. Pray.”
October 19 1971 We learned today that Thanda Meah and Nasiruddin, another Muslim trouble maker, are persecuting the Hindus again by extorting money and blaming them for Mukti Fouj activity.
We received 3000 cases of relief food today. Our relief efforts continue to help the poor people affected by the political situation in the country.
The Multi Fouj attacked the Lama Police Station near Hebron and destroyed all records. They beat up the policemen and made off with 40 or more rifles!
We continue to hear reports that bombs are exploding in both Dacca and Chittagong. We are hearing rumblings of war nearly every day.
life?
We received a report today that the Bengalis who fled to Maung Dao, Burma are still there and have not been transferred to India as we had heard.
October 23, 1971 India has mobilized all her reserves for action against the Pakistan Military in East Pakistan. The situation in the country looks bad, especially if the East Pakistan Communists are getting into the act with the Mukti Fouj. A new rumor is that the Pakistan military attacked an area 8 miles east of Dohazari, a stronghold of the Mukti Fouj. We also heard that more than 200 Bengali citizens died in a cross fire fight between the Mukti Fouj and the Pakistan military.
The situation in the country has led us into the area of humanitarian relief and rehabilitation, primarily for the Hindu community. Both in Chittagong and here at Malumghat we are aiding needy people with relief food and helping with the reconstruction of their homes. To carry on this work, we have been given in excess of Rupees 25,000 by various organizations such as CARE International. The Pakistan Government has allotted us 2.2 tons of milk powder and 11 drums of edible oils for free distribution. CARE has also provided 3,500 cases of baby food, some clothing, and medical supplies.
Most of the house construction work has been in the hospital area. To date, 18 houses have been rebuilt giving shelter to approximately 120 people. Most of these houses were burned during the April through May period. Requests for housing are coming in daily. With conditions in the country still precarious, it looks like our relief programs will continue for some time to come.
News today says that India has mobilized all her reserves for action!
Momin reported that about 300-400 people gathered at the former Dulahazara Chairman’s house to discuss what action they can take against Thanda Meah and Nasiruddin. He said that even the Moulvis were there and thought it was of God that all this was happening. I told him that sometimes God will use our enemies to help us.
October 27, 1971 I reported to my missionary colleagues that from the reports filtering in, it appears that the tribal people are going through difficult times. The breakdown of law and order in remote areas seems to have opened a new wave of banditry in the villages. Added to this is the infiltration of the Mukti Fouj, or liberation forces, into the Hill Tracts in great numbers. These rebels demand food from the tribal people, sometimes paying and sometimes not. The present political situation is confusing to these simple illiterate folks. They are not certain who their enemy is…. the military, about whom they have heard terrible reports, or the rebels who take their rice.
October 31, 1971 A cement mason, who worked for our hospital in the past, told me that there are 800 Mukti Fouj in both the Alikadam and Lama Bazars and that they are armed with modern weapons.
October 20, 1971 Qazi Jalal’s pilot came today to take him and his family back to Dacca. On leaving, they buzzed the hospital. Momin reported this morning that our visit to the Hindu village yesterday completely foiled Thanda Meah’s plans!
This afternoon I saw Thanda Meah in Khutakhali Bazar. He told me that the Mukti Fouj from Banshkhali were coming into Dulahazara. He wants to come and talk with me, no doubt fearing for his
The Pakistan military have closed the Rangamati Road to transport traffic. Many Freedom Fighters have taken refuge in the hill country.
This past month has brought us to focus on the delicate situation in the country. The guerilla activity has increased. They are more sophisticated and planned. One gets the definite feeling that the tide is turning against the present government. The rebels are getting stronger and situations are getting hotter.
Chapter Eleven
PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL COLLAPSING
November 3, 1971 I shared the following latest news with our hospital staff tonight:
The Pakistani military are setting up a camp in Cheringa, just 6 miles from the hospital. The Mukti Fouj attacked Dulahazara Bazar, abducted a wealthy Cha Bagan Muslim, a supporter of the Pakistan military, and are demanding 10,000 rupees for his release. The Government of India has taken control of the border area in Tripura State and has silenced Pakistani guns which were shelling the town of Campbellpur. A bomb leveled an electric power station in Dacca. A bomb damaged the 5th floor of the Dacca Institute of Technology building. A bomb damaged the State Bank in Dacca. There are gun battles occurring in Dacca during the night. Electric power is at a minimum in Dacca. The streets in Dacca are vacated by 7 p.m. because of the government curfew. The Adamjee School in Dacca has been blown up, and there have been explosions in Dacca College and Dacca University.
There is a large group of Mukti Fouj in the Yangsa area, not far from our hospital. There is news of riots in Chittagong between the Bihari people and the Bengalis. The Bihari people are Urdu speaking Hindi people hailing from the Bihar State of India. They have been supporting the Pakistan military and many have jobs with the military. They are concentrated in the railway center in Chittagong.
One of our hospital cement masons was caught in Cheringa and beaten by the Pakistan military for listening to Radio Free Bangladesh.
November 8, 1971 I am in Dacca again taking care of some business matters. The Pakistan Government allotted us five
tons of rice and 5 tons of wheat for distribution at our hospital. I also was able to get a check for twenty thousand rupees for rebuilding Hindu homes. This money should help us in our relief program for the next two or three months.
There is a lot of trouble in Dacca. The streets of the city are empty by 7 p.m. Much of the rebel activity is done boldly during daylight hours. Today, I heard that they blew up a school at which mostly West Pakistan children attended. Bombs went off at Dacca University and Dacca College. A food grain ship loaded with 1,000 tons of grain was sunk last Thursday.
My missionary friend, Phil Parshall, reported he had heard of a missionary being beaten up by Razakars and of another missionary couple being held at gun point and robbed by non-Bengalis.
One thing is certain; the Bengali Freedom Fighters are getting bolder and stronger. I feel that it is only a matter of time before East Pakistan falls and the West Pakistanis lose their control and retreat.
November 9, 1971 I went to the American Consulate in Dacca today where I was debriefed on news from our area. Consulate Officer, Bill Carl, also wanted to discuss the possibility of another evacuation plan for Burma should we missionaries feel that would be important. He is willing to alert the Burmese Embassy and to keep the VOA open if necessary.
We heard that a Pakistani Naval officer was killed in Chittagong and there is news that President Yahya Khan is showing interest in talking with Bengali evacuees in India. He would like them to return to East Pakistan. There is little chance of that happening.
I got a telegram from Murree informing us that our children would be arriving in Chittagong on November 17th for their Christmas break.
November 10, 1971 I was in Chittagong on business. Reid took me to the Agrabad Hotel to meet with a Mr. Hannah of the Red Cross. He gave us one ton of blankets, three tons of old clothes, six bags of milk and a case of antibiotics for our relief program.
Next I went to the government food control office with a letter authorizing them to give us cooking oil and milk powder.
There is a rumor out that a Pakistan Naval Commander was shot at Pahartali. Many Hindus came today submitting petitions for new housing. There is news that Yahya Khan is interested in talking with Bengali leaders in India.
November 13, 1971 Today we celebrated our twin daughters’ 10th birthdays. After it was reported to me that a Hindu man was taken by the Razakars to the Community Center, I rushed down and set them free and talked with the Razakars plainly about not causing trouble in our area.
November 15, 1971 On a previous trip to Dacca to arrange for relief supplies, I visited with the German Consulate Commercial Attaché Mr. Rolf G. Friland. We discussed the situation in East Pakistan and he expressed positive views of the situation, which was surprising to me. I wondered if he really understood the political situation. He said that his wife, who evacuated several weeks ago, is now returning.
One of my friends returned from Chittagong today and reported that up to 500 Bengalis were killed in retribution for killing four Biharis whose bodies were found in the Pahartali area of Chittagong. There has been rioting going on between the Bengalis and Biharis.
Donn and Kitty Ketcham, our daughter, Debra, and I went to Chittagong today to meet our Murree kids coming in on tomorrow’s flight.
November 17, 1971 News today is that all plane flights in and out of Dacca have been canceled and that there is to be a 48hour curfew. Later we went to the PIA office to double check and learned that, before the curfew started, a plane from the West Pakistan had arrived with our Murree children on board. We raced to Patenga to meet them!
We learned, also, that the Pakistan military in Dacca were searching every house, taking away the men they thought to be anti-Pakistan. Were they to be executed we wondered? The military has been deployed all over Chittagong this afternoon. The situation is tense in the major cities. Radio Pakistan’s Assistant Director was shot by the Freedom Fighters this morning.
November 18, 1971 The curfew in Dacca lasted over 15 hours during which the military searched houses arresting some men and shooting others.
November 20, 1971 The man I met two weeks ago in the West German Consulate in Dacca was killed when his car ran over a land mine planted in the road! Guerilla activity is on the increase. Some areas of the country are now controlled by the Freedom Fighters. The nightly curfews gave the military opportunity to do house to house searches for arms being used by rebel troops.
We heard that a large group of Mukti Fouj commandeered two sampans last night and headed for Moheshkhali and that the Razakars in Kuthakhali will be attacked soon. We heard that a bomb exploded on a bridge at Indrapole but didn’t do much damage.
November 22, 1971 One of our employees heard that the local police Officer-In-Charge (OC) had joined with the Razakars to begin their anti-Awami League operations in our area. The OC engaged a Razakar to ask our hospital
doctors for an abortion on a Hindu girl that he had ‘married’. Most likely, it was a forced marriage. We didn’t co-operate.
There is news that a large battle was fought in Jessore and the Freedom Fighters conquered a large area of land.
bills. He promised to get Robindra Lal Barua released, and eventually he did.
November 29, 1971 Dacca is now surrounded by rebel troops. They have blown up 17 bridges in and around the city, paralyzing traffic.
November 30, 1971 There are reports that India is being fired upon by the Pakistan military. And, with this news, we end the month of November…a very busy one when Freedom Fighter activity has greatly increased and war between India and Pakistan is evident.
November 23, 1971 There is news of a large scale Indian invasion on several fronts in East Pakistan. India says that they are using Bangladeshi forces, men who had evacuated to India earlier.
India reports shooting down three Pakistan military planes. The Mukti Fouj attacked four places between Chittagong and our hospital.
The Cheringa Razakars and CAF police are raping, extorting and oppressing the local people. The CAF are West Pakistani civilian troops recruited from the Civil Armed Forces of Pakistan and brought to East Pakistan to fight with the military.
November 24, 1971 One Razakar and one policeman were killed last night when they raided the Eidgah Bazar. Houses and dokans were burned and some men were taken away. One injured Razakar is in our hospital. Razakar activity seems to be increasing. There is news that some military and Razakars have moved into our local Community Center.
We heard that a Hindu man was set free today after paying 500 rupees (approximately $100).
Lynn Silvernale sent a message from Chittagong saying that all the United Nations people have left by ship for Bangkok, Thailand. Flights between Chittagong and Dacca are not dependable at all now. Hardly any flights have gone this week. Anyone coming up to Chittagong should be fully prepared with all necessary documents in case the worst should happen.
November 26, 1971 In Cox’s Bazar, Mel Beals and I met with the Pakistan military captain in the government guest house and discussed four points with him:
The oppression by the Razakars and CAF police at Cheringa. The release of Robindra, a Buddhist boy from Bilchari Village, falsely accused of anti-military activity. He was being held prisoner in Cox’s Bazar. Robindra lived close to our Hebron station and was well known to us. I wanted the military to release him to his weeping mother. The matter of who pays for the Razakars treatments in our hospital?
The overall political situation in East Pakistan. The Captain was of the view that things were normal in the country. He promised to talk with the police regarding the oppression going on in our area. He will look into the matter of paying for Razakar hospital
doctors for an abortion on a Hindu girl that he had ‘married’. Most likely, it was a forced marriage. We didn’t co-operate.
There is news that a large battle was fought in Jessore and the Freedom Fighters conquered a large area of land.
bills. He promised to get Robindra Lal Barua released, and eventually he did.
November 29, 1971 Dacca is now surrounded by rebel troops. They have blown up 17 bridges in and around the city, paralyzing traffic.
November 30, 1971 There are reports that India is being fired upon by the Pakistan military. And, with this news, we end the month of November…a very busy one when Freedom Fighter activity has greatly increased and war between India and Pakistan is evident.
November 23, 1971 There is news of a large scale Indian invasion on several fronts in East Pakistan. India says that they are using Bangladeshi forces, men who had evacuated to India earlier.
India reports shooting down three Pakistan military planes. The Mukti Fouj attacked four places between Chittagong and our hospital.
The Cheringa Razakars and CAF police are raping, extorting and oppressing the local people. The CAF are West Pakistani civilian troops recruited from the Civil Armed Forces of Pakistan and brought to East Pakistan to fight with the military.
November 24, 1971 One Razakar and one policeman were killed last night when they raided the Eidgah Bazar. Houses and dokans were burned and some men were taken away. One injured Razakar is in our hospital. Razakar activity seems to be increasing. There is news that some military and Razakars have moved into our local Community Center.
We heard that a Hindu man was set free today after paying 500 rupees (approximately $100).
Lynn Silvernale sent a message from Chittagong saying that all the United Nations people have left by ship for Bangkok, Thailand. Flights between Chittagong and Dacca are not dependable at all now. Hardly any flights have gone this week. Anyone coming up to Chittagong should be fully prepared with all necessary documents in case the worst should happen.
November 26, 1971 In Cox’s Bazar, Mel Beals and I met with the Pakistan military captain in the government guest house and discussed four points with him:
The oppression by the Razakars and CAF police at Cheringa. The release of Robindra, a Buddhist boy from Bilchari Village, falsely accused of anti-military activity. He was being held prisoner in Cox’s Bazar. Robindra lived close to our Hebron station and was well known to us. I wanted the military to release him to his weeping mother. The matter of who pays for the Razakars treatments in our hospital?
The overall political situation in East Pakistan. The Captain was of the view that things were normal in the country. He promised to talk with the police regarding the oppression going on in our area. He will look into the matter of paying for Razakar hospital
Chapter Twelve
THE INDIAN ARMY STRIKES!
December 4, 1971
News today is that the British Energy (BE) refinery in Chittagong had been bombed. India has declared a national emergency after Pakistan war planes struck in eight different Indian towns.
At noon today, we heard a series of explosions in the direction of Cox’s Bazar. Word finally filtered back that four Indian planes had attacked the airport. The power house was also strafed and our electricity went off. Several injured people from the bomb blasts were brought from Cox’s Bazar.
Late this afternoon we heard a dozen explosions at Cheringa. We learned later the Pakistan authorities were damaging the old WW2 airport runways so no landing could be made. Tonight, Mel and I had an encounter with the local Razakars who had arrested 10 of our hospital people.
December 5, 1971 News today says India forces have gained much territory in East Pakistan. They captured a town near north of Chittagong. All East Pakistan ports are blockaded by the Pakistan military. The Karachi airport was also under attack by Indian forces. It is reported that 378 Americans were evacuated from Karachi to Tehran by a Pan Am 747 jet plane.
December 6, 1971 Today India officially recognized the Government of Bangladesh! She reports capturing several towns in East Pakistan, including Feni. We also heard a rumor that a Canadian plane landed in Dacca to take out foreign nationals but had to leave empty due to Indian air activity.
bombs.
December 8, 1971 I drove to Cox’s Bazar to check on the bomb and leaflet stories but couldn’t verify them. The SubDivisional Officer (SDO) invited me for lunch. He returned at 2:15 p.m. to eat with me but 15 minutes later left in a hurry! He was very jumpy. Obviously, the Indian army was coming close. Many Burmese people, including Razakars, were leaving in rickshaws heading for safety in Burma. On the way back to Malumghat, I saw two military jeep loads of people, including Captain Hafeez, whom I had talked with on a previous visit to Cox’s. They were speeding south to Burma, running from the Indian military who would be hunting for the Bengali’s who were supporting the Pakistan military.
This afternoon we got some disturbing news. Mel Beals went to Chittagong early this morning to do some Christmas shopping and failed to return home tonight. The man who came to me with the news said that he was arrested by the Shanti Bahini and taken off the bus at Amirabad. I had to break this news to his wife Marge. I assured her that I would do my best to free him. In the meantime, Dr. Ketcham gave her a tranquilizer medicine.
I first decided to write a letter to the Mukti Fouj in both English and Bengali, giving them accurate information that Mel was an American missionary working at our hospital, and sent it with the man who brought us the news. Tonight, we had a special prayer meeting praying for his release.
December 9, 1971 A great relief swept over our compound when Mel came home riding in a bicycle rickshaw. When I saw him, he had a big smile on his face!
We gathered to hear his story and to thank God for his safe return. He said he was the only foreigner on the bus returning from town. The Mukti Fouj who stopped the bus saw a foreigner sitting with a load of Bengali’s. No doubt, they thought he might be a West Pakistani military man and arrested him.
Mel was held overnight but was able to finally convince his captors that he was from the Memorial Christian Hospital at Malumghat. He said that they treated him well and gave him food to eat. He also said that during the night he heard several rounds of gunfire. He assumed they had executed other people they had caught.
I heard a rumor that Captain Hafeez looted the Cox’s Bazar treasury before fleeing south to Burma. I also learned that the police, including the Officer-in-Charge (O.C.), were called to Chittagong by the Awami League leaders. I heard there was fighting in Patiya and Kalurghat between the Mukti Fouj and Razakars.
December 7, 1971 At 2:30 a.m., and later this morning at 7 a.m., Cox’s Bazar was bombed. Reports say that the Pakistan military in Cox’s Bazar fled for Chittagong during the night. This morning at 10:55 a.m., I saw two truckloads of East Pakistan military heading for Chittagong.
The Inspector of Police, supporter of the Awami League, left Cox’s Bazar and moved to Dulahazara. I went and talked with him. He thinks there will be an Indian military landing at Cox’s Bazar soon. Rumors have it that Indian aircraft have dropped leaflets warning people to vacate the towns targeted for their bombs.
December 11, 1971 News has it that Indian troops are closing in and that the fall of Dacca to Indian forces is imminent. I also heard that our local Officer-in Charge, supporter of the Pakistan Military, was executed yesterday by the Mukti Fouj.
peace, goodwill and frienasnip that we nave experienced in the past.
out of service.
I heard tonight that the Mukti Fouj captured 70 Burmese Guerrillas.
December 12, 1971 We have heard shelling and explosions during the night and a plane flying over our hospital. Later today we got news of a sea battle between Pakistan’s and India’s navies. That accounts for the shelling and explosions we heard during the night. A headline in PEOPLE’S VIEW (A National Daily) said Fierce Fighting Reported from Various Sectors in East Pakistan.
We made arrangements today for the Cox’s Bazar police inspector’s family to stay on the hospital compound. We considered this to be a good humanitarian effort.
I heard part of Indira Gandhi’s speech this afternoon. She says that her army will help the Freedom Fighters fighting for the independence of East Pakistan.
We missionaries are getting excited with all the news that points to the fact that soon Bangladesh will be a free nation!
December 15, 1971 This afternoon we had tea with Captain Haroon Rashid, MNA elect Noor Ahmed, and Awami League leader, Dr. Shamsuddin, who stopped at our hospital for a visit.
A jeep drove in our hospital gate with the Mukti Fouj leader of Camp Number Three. He thanked me for having provided blankets for his men earlier. Now he needed gasoline. I gave him several gallons before he left.
Tonight’s 8 p.m. radio news says that East Pakistani General Niazi, has asked for a cease fire and India agreed. Looks like a surrender! News is now breaking very fast. We heard that an Indian brigade has landed in Cox’s Bazar.
December 13, 1971 Today’s PEOPLE’S VIEW says the Pakistan Army continues to fight back and that they have consolidated their positions. It also says that Nixon warns India of aggression against Pakistan.
Bangladesh flags were hoisted on all roadside shops today! A parade of Mukti Fouj in buses and trucks went by the hospital this afternoon stopping in every Bazar shouting JOI BANGLA! I, too, shouted as loud as I could, JOI BANGLA! The Awami League, with India’s help, was winning their battle for the liberation and freedom of Bangladesh.
December 14, 1971
While we were enjoying morning tea, an Indian plane flew over the hospital. We ran out to see it diving towards the local Community Center followed by a rocket and two bomb blasts. After the plane left, we drove down to see the damage. The rocket pierced through the center of the Community Center but failed to explode. The two bombs also missed the target but exploded leaving huge craters in the soil. I was happy that a few days earlier we had painted red crosses on the tops of our hospital buildings. Diane and Shelley panicked when the bombs exploded so close to our property!
In a meeting tonight, we decided it was safe for us to raise the Bangladesh flag over the hospital. No longer would we need to keep silent and fear the Pakistan military.
Our local Community Center had a suspicious looking aerial attached. No doubt, the Indian plane decided to knock it out thinking it was a Pakistan military communication center.
God has really blessed us here in ‘a pocket of peace. Our prayer now is that President Nixon and our State Department will recognize the new country of Bangladesh so we can continue our work here with peace, goodwill and friendship that we have experienced in the past.
Chapter Thirteen
December 18, 1971 Today’s PEOPLE’S VIEW says that lakhs (thousands of people, in an impromptu public meeting last night, pledged to continue the struggle until Sheikh Mujib has been released from the clutches of the Pakistanis.
All Razakars were asked by the Awami League leaders today to turn themselves in. Today we saw several truckloads of Indian soldiers going north towards Chittagong.
I took my wife and our girls to see the community center building and the bomb craters near it.
A NEW NATION IS BORN!
December 16, 1971 Today Bangladesh is born. Joi Bangla! General Niazi commander of the Pakistan army in East Pakistan surrendered in Dacca.
We started the day at our hospital with a special flag raising ceremony in the presence of our staff, local Bengali people, and the Mukti Bahini. Our Bengali staff sang the Bangladesh national anthem as a brandnew Bangladesh flag was hoisted to the sky. The Mukti Bahini people fired off several rounds of ammunition.
Today the surrender took place at the Ramna Race Course in Dacca (now changed to Dhaka). The surrender papers were signed by military authorities. Lieutenant General A.A. Niazi, Martial Law Administrator of East Pakistan, surrendered to Jagjit Singh Aurora, Joint Commander of the Bangladesh/India Allied Forces. Air Commodore A.K. Khandaker acted as witness on behalf of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. General Jacob-Farj-Rafael “JFR” Jacob, Army Chief of Staff of the Indian Eastern Command, was also a witness to the signing.
The question, and mystery, has arisen as to why General A.G. Osmani wasn’t present to represent Bangladesh at the surrender? He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Liberation Forces and of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Was he eliminated on purpose? The surrender made it look like India was taking all credit for the liberation victory and forgetting what the Bengali Freedom Fighters had accomplished. There has been no answer to the question.
Fearing now that the Bengali people would mercilessly beat and kill him, Gen. Niazi was secretly put in a car and driven to the Tejgaon airport and flown to West Pakistan.
December 17, 1871 I decided to go to Cox’s Bazar and spent an hour with Lt. Colonel Indra Singh of the First Third Gurkhas. He was with Captain Haroon. We also saw MNA elect Noor Ahmed. Col. Singh offered to help us in any way possible. He said he would try to get our hospital electricity restored. He took the letters I had written to various people, including ABWE, and said he would mail them for us in Calcutta. I drove around town and saw the airport damage and the damage at the electric power station. Obviously, the Indian army did land troops there.
December 18, 1971
December 19, 1971 It was reported today that the bodies of 125 Bengali intellectuals were found in Dhaka.
Brigadier General S.S. Rai and a naval commander came at 11 a.m. with Captain Haroon and had coffee with us at our home. After liberation, the Indian army set up a camp in Malumghat opposite our hospital compound. We enjoyed having fellowship with the leaders for a period of time after the war.
A group of us plan to go to Chittagong tomorrow for shopping and business. December 20 1971. Rumors are out that Sheikh Mujib has been freed from a Pakistan prison. Also, the news is that President Yahya Khan is now out of power. Pakistan’s Air Marshal Asghar Khan, says Yahya must stand trial. I found an interesting note that said Yahya Khan had appointed his loyal general, Tikka Khan, as the Governor General and Chief Martial Law Administrator of East Pakistan. The Bengali’s gave him the nickname, the Butcher of Bangladesh.
December 21, 1971 An article in the PEOPLE’S VIEW reports that Indian Major General Hira called on the people of Bangladesh to lay down their arms now that independence has been achieved and to labor with their hands to strengthen the independence by building up a strong and stable Bangladesh.
Joe Decook and I made a trip to Chittagong. We had to take a ferry across the river at Dohazari and a detour around Patiya, to avoid two other blown bridges, one of them at the salt go-downs at Indrapole. The salt warehouses were burned to the ground. We heard rumors that there is already trouble brewing between the Mujib political supporters, the Mukti Bahini, and the pro-Communist political party.
We went to American Express to see if our Mission money had been received by them. They had no money for us. The report is that the Pakistanis burnt all the money they could! We spent part of this day doing our annual Christmas shopping.
We also saw a crude electric chair that had been set up at the Chittagong Government Guesthouse where people were put to death by the Pakistan Military. This afternoon some Bengali boys took me to the Railway Colony where many Biharis had lived. I saw skeletons of dead Bengalis that had been dumped in septic tanks. I also saw a pile of skulls and bodies behind the hill on which the Hindu temple was located at the entrance to the Chittagong Housing Society.
Dag
21
An Indian Major came today for medical treatment along with some of the Mukti Fouj of Cheringa.
constructed ‘make do’ bridges of timber planks.
December 23, 1971 The Hindu Inspector of Police or Cox’s Bazar returned today and will be taking his family with him. We had provided for their safety while he went into hiding.
There is a rumor that the West Pakistani people are calling for the trial of Yahya Khan. Sheikh Mujib was released from prison and put under house arrest. The new Pakistan President is Mohamed Ali Bhutto of the West Pakistan’s People Party. He has already fired several his generals and admirals and withdrawn passports of 22 Pakistani families to keep them from fleeing the country. No doubt, these were relatives of the failed military rulers in East Pakistan.
I sent Momin Chowdhury to Cox’s Bazar to get relief rice and to check on why WAPDA power is off. He reported that the rice would be released tomorrow and that the WAPDA staff couldn’t check the electric lines because they had no transportation. We provided our hospital truck to help them out.
Tomorrow we have a big Christmas celebration planned. According to the Gospel records the Virgin Mary gave birth to a son and named him Jesus meaning he would be a Savior of people from their sins. He was also given the name Immanuel meaning “God with us’. His life of miracles indeed proved that Jesus was God manifest in a human body! He is willing to forgive sinners and give eternal life to those who believe.
December 29, 1971 Today we heard that President Bhutto talked with Sheikh Mujib in Islamabad.
A major came to the hospital today for medicine along with some Cheringa Mukti Fouj people. I met with an Indian Colonel this morning. He was here checking on reports that Burmese guerrillas and Mizos were in our area. He said his India headquarters are in Mizoram. He was a very polite young man.
January 4, 1972 I drafted a letter to President Nixon. He seemed ambivalent and unconcerned about what was happening in East Pakistan and we wanted him to get the picture. We heard about his arrangement to open a dialogue with China, a very big political victory for him. Apparently, that was the reason for his neglect of the East Pakistan situation.
In the letter addressed to President Richard M. Nixon, and signed by 21 of our missionaries, we made the following requests:
The immediate recognition of the nation of Bangladesh
The continuation of aid to Bangladesh This letter was copied to 14 U.S. Senators, Governor Ronald Reagan and our mission president.
December 26, 1971 We heard that East Pakistan Governor Malik will be tried for war crimes (several million Bengali people killed) along with his ministers and 33 other government officers.
Yesterday we enjoyed one of nicest Christmases ever! All our children were safely home and we had survived the recent war and are now living in free Bangladesh. Again, I shout, Joi Bangla!
We are now wondering about our future in this land? Soon I will start moving to establish new contacts in the Bangladesh Government. We will have to get new Bangladesh visas and this could be a problem for Americans since President Nixon failed to support the independence movement.
Today the Bengali people went wild with celebrations! They celebrated the Indian army liberators helping to suppress the West Pakistan military machine that had ruled ruthlessly over them during the past nine months. When freedom came to Bangladesh as proclaimed on the 16th of December the people jumped for joy and so did we. Nobody will ever know all the terrible oppression, torture; rape and killing that went on in this land during the past nine months. The day India helped the Bengali Freedom Fighters liberate Bangladesh a great burden was lifted from each of us. We are thankful to our God for the great political victory.
December 27, 1971 Hundreds gathered at our hospital for relief today. We couldn’t help them all and some went away sad. An Indian Major came today for medical treatment along with some of the Mukti Fouj of Cheringa.
January 5, 1972 There was a wild celebration in Bangladesh yesterday with the announcement by West Pakistan’s President Ali Bhutto of the unconditional release of Sheikh Mujib!
I flew to Dacca in a Red Cross plane with 19 other foreigners. In Dhaka, I saw Indian army soldiers and East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) practicing for the arrival ceremonies of Sheikh Mujib. I heard that our special friend Qazi Jalaluddin Ahmed’s new title in liberated Bangladesh will be Officer on Special Duty (OSD), a demotion for staying at his job during the Pakistan military regime. However, the New Bangladesh government eventually recognized they needed his wisdom and experience and re-hired him.
January 6, 1972 I met a Member of the National Assembly today at Giasuddin Chowdhury’s home in Dhaka. The member had been shot in the arm by Pakistan troops while guarding Mrs. Mujib’s house while her husband was in prison in West Pakistan. Tunu, Momin’s sister, took me to meet her friend Mrs. Mujib. We had a short visit with her during which time she pleaded with me to help get her husband back from West Pakistan. I think she thought that I, an American, could do the impossible! I assured her I would do my best.
Mominal Haq Chowdhury, a dear friend of mine, lives near our hospital in Dulahazara. His sister, Tunu,
close friend.
experience!
Joi Bangla!”
January 9, 1972
Last night’s news is that Sheikh Mujib was released from prison and PIA was flying him to London. The Pakistan government wouldn’t allow him to fly directly home from Pakistan to Bangladesh, a matter of disappointed pride.
Today is Sheikh Mujib Day in Bangladesh. Dhaka is vibrant with life. Preparations are being made for Mujib’s arrival. Tonight, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced that the Sheikh’s arrival in Dhaka would be at 10:40 a.m. tomorrow.
January 10, 1972 I was determined to be at the airport for this historic occasion. After breakfast, fellow missionary, Phil Parshall, drove me to the Awami League headquarters to try and get press cards to enter the airport for witnessing the Sheikh’s arrival. Their office was closed, so we drove to the airport where the police stopped us. They had closed the roads near the airport to divert vehicle traffic. I left Phil and decided to walk to the terminal. I stuffed a newspaper in one pocket of my coat and hung two cameras around my neck to make me look important… like an international reporter. I then walked straight to the entrance of the airport tarmac. Not looking left or right, I walked past two armed guards and they didn’t stop me! I walked out on the tarmac and saw all the international TV media crews, all the Awami League political leaders and other VIP well-wishers waiting in long lines for the plane to arrive.
Silence prevailed when the British RAF silver aircraft was first spotted circling above us. I watched tears drip from the eyes of one of the policemen standing near me. Then, when the plane landed, pandemonium broke out! I shall never forget the scene when the plane came to a halt, and the door opened. We all saw the Sheikh standing there with arms raised high in a victorious greeting. The Mukti Bahini broke ranks and surrounded the plane. As Mujib descended to the red carpet leading to a dais where he would speak, dozens of floral leis were thrown around his neck, so many that several times he had to throw them off.
I took pictures of various Awami League leaders including acting President Nazrul and General Osmani. The Sheikh and his followers were loaded on the back of a decorated truck that led a long procession through town to the park where he would address the crowd. I hooked a ride on a military jeep that followed close behind the Sheikh’s truck. Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets making it difficult to move until many of them jumped over roadside brick walls and barricades to make room for the parade to pass. We inched along and when we reached the Intercontinental Hotel, I thanked my military jeep driver, then jumped off and entered the hotel. As the only American missionary in the airport that day, I was thrilled to be a part of history in the making and will never ever forget my experience!
Joi Bangla!”
1
11 Նա, սսսսւ աս ւ սա եւ ասաա5:
v PւՆՆ11
111 «ԱՆԿ
Նա եւս 3 ՆԱՎԼՆ։
Chapter 14
THE NEW GOVERNMENT AT WORK
I had flown to Dacca on a Red Cross flight. My purpose in going was to try and meet with the new government officials that we, as a Non-Government Organization (NGO), would be dealing with in the future. The plane was carrying eight tons of relief supplies loaded before we (19 foreign passengers) boarded. We got off the ground at 2:45 p.m. and arrived in Dacca 45 minutes later. In Dacca, we saw Indian and Bengali soldiers practicing for the arrival ceremonies for Sheikh Mujib.
After seeing the arrival of Sheikh Mujib, it would be important for me to learn who has taken up the posts left by the fleeing West Pakistanis. The important ministries that we have had to deal with were Home (visas), Health, and Import & Export. Over the years we have had to import medicines and equipment for the Memorial Christian Hospital at Malumghat, Dulahazara.
January 11, 1972 Today I met MNA Faruque Ahmed and a few his lawyer friends. He read my letter written to U.S. President Nixon and told me that he had already met six of the Senators I had copied in the letter.
us to his office in the Eden Building where we successfully obtained Government approval to upgrade our hospital and also to make it an inoculation center.
Donn and I went to see Mr. M.R. Siddiqi, Minister of Commerce, who had a letter ready advising the Home Secretary to give all our missionaries multiple entry visas whenever needed. He also authorized that our X-ray film be released from the Chittagong Customs. And, he agreed to let our hospital have ‘Carte Blanc’import privileges!
February 19, 1972 Today it was my privilege, along with Dr. Vic Olsen and Bob Adolph, to have a private audience with Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his office. We were there to congratulate him on his success in bringing independence and freedom to Bangladesh. I shall never forget his pleased reaction when I spoke with him in Bengali. He smiled and said, “You have learned Bengali, Good!”
Sadly, in the early morning of August 15, 1975 Sheikh Mujib’s political enemies gunned him down along with his family in their Dhaka residence. Slain with Mujib were his wife, two sons, Kamal and Jamal, with their brides of a few months, and younger son Russell. His daughter, Sheikh Hasina survived that tragic event and later became President of Bangladesh, and, as I write, she still is!
According to one report the young officers who led the bloody coup against President Sheikh Mujib killed him and more than 20 members of his family and political associates, then lost in a showdown with the new leader and went back to their barracks.
As a Christian Non-Government Organization (NGO) working at the Memorial Christian Hospital in Dulahazara, Cox’s Bazar District, we found it difficult to be totally neutral in the political situation whirling around us. We could see and feel the dissatisfaction of our Bengali friends as we lived through the year 1971 with them. It became impossible for us not to take sides in the political arena. From my Malumghat center, I kept a daily journal of events as they happened and of the political developments that brought about the birth of Bangladesh. Today I am sharing my diary records with you. As a devoted Christian and supporter of the Bengali Freedom Fighters, I feel I have every right to join you in shouting, Joi Bangla!
January 12, 1972
The Red Cross plane was grounded until new tires could be flown in. Phil Parshall drove me to Sadarghat at 7:30 a.m. where I got a launch to Chandpur. There I got the train to Feni. In Feni I got the red coach bus direct to Chittagong, arriving at 8 p.m. It has been a long tiring day. My head is pounding from hearing the horror tales of the men who accompanied me.
January 13, 1972 The news today is that Sheikh Mujib is to become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and that Abu Syed Chowdhury will become President. I composed a letter to Sheikh Mujib congratulating him on the birth of Bangladesh and his appointment as Prime Minister.
Back at the hospital our workmen constructed a stage for the Sheikh Mujib Day drama. Tonight, a huge crowd attended the celebration at our hospital field.
February 5, 1972 Dr. Donn Ketcham and I drove to Dacca yesterday. Today we met with Zahur Ahmad Chowdhury, Minister for Health, Labor and Family Planning. (He presently has three wives and 32 children). He took us to his office in the Eden Building where we successfully obtained Government approval to upgrade our hospital and also to make it an inoculation center.
1
11 Նա, սսսսւ աս ւ սա եւ ասաա5:
v PւՆՆ11
111 «ԱՆԿ
Նա եւս 3 ՆԱՎԼՆ։
Chapter 14
THE NEW GOVERNMENT AT WORK
I had flown to Dacca on a Red Cross flight. My purpose in going was to try and meet with the new government officials that we, as a Non-Government Organization (NGO), would be dealing with in the future. The plane was carrying eight tons of relief supplies loaded before we (19 foreign passengers) boarded. We got off the ground at 2:45 p.m. and arrived in Dacca 45 minutes later. In Dacca, we saw Indian and Bengali soldiers practicing for the arrival ceremonies for Sheikh Mujib.
After seeing the arrival of Sheikh Mujib, it would be important for me to learn who has taken up the posts left by the fleeing West Pakistanis. The important ministries that we have had to deal with were Home (visas), Health, and Import & Export. Over the years we have had to import medicines and equipment for the Memorial Christian Hospital at Malumghat, Dulahazara.
January 11, 1972 Today I met MNA Faruque Ahmed and a few his lawyer friends. He read my letter written to U.S. President Nixon and told me that he had already met six of the Senators I had copied in the letter.
us to his office in the Eden Building where we successfully obtained Government approval to upgrade our hospital and also to make it an inoculation center.
Donn and I went to see Mr. M.R. Siddiqi, Minister of Commerce, who had a letter ready advising the Home Secretary to give all our missionaries multiple entry visas whenever needed. He also authorized that our X-ray film be released from the Chittagong Customs. And, he agreed to let our hospital have ‘Carte Blanc’import privileges!
February 19, 1972 Today it was my privilege, along with Dr. Vic Olsen and Bob Adolph, to have a private audience with Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his office. We were there to congratulate him on his success in bringing independence and freedom to Bangladesh. I shall never forget his pleased reaction when I spoke with him in Bengali. He smiled and said, “You have learned Bengali, Good!”
Sadly, in the early morning of August 15, 1975 Sheikh Mujib’s political enemies gunned him down along with his family in their Dhaka residence. Slain with Mujib were his wife, two sons, Kamal and Jamal, with their brides of a few months, and younger son Russell. His daughter, Sheikh Hasina survived that tragic event and later became President of Bangladesh, and, as I write, she still is!
According to one report the young officers who led the bloody coup against President Sheikh Mujib killed him and more than 20 members of his family and political associates, then lost in a showdown with the new leader and went back to their barracks.
As a Christian Non-Government Organization (NGO) working at the Memorial Christian Hospital in Dulahazara, Cox’s Bazar District, we found it difficult to be totally neutral in the political situation whirling around us. We could see and feel the dissatisfaction of our Bengali friends as we lived through the year 1971 with them. It became impossible for us not to take sides in the political arena. From my Malumghat center, I kept a daily journal of events as they happened and of the political developments that brought about the birth of Bangladesh. Today I am sharing my diary records with you. As a devoted Christian and supporter of the Bengali Freedom Fighters, I feel I have every right to join you in shouting, Joi Bangla!
January 12, 1972
The Red Cross plane was grounded until new tires could be flown in. Phil Parshall drove me to Sadarghat at 7:30 a.m. where I got a launch to Chandpur. There I got the train to Feni. In Feni I got the red coach bus direct to Chittagong, arriving at 8 p.m. It has been a long tiring day. My head is pounding from hearing the horror tales of the men who accompanied me.
January 13, 1972 The news today is that Sheikh Mujib is to become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and that Abu Syed Chowdhury will become President. I composed a letter to Sheikh Mujib congratulating him on the birth of Bangladesh and his appointment as Prime Minister.
Back at the hospital our workmen constructed a stage for the Sheikh Mujib Day drama. Tonight, a huge crowd attended the celebration at our hospital field.
February 5, 1972 Dr. Donn Ketcham and I drove to Dacca yesterday. Today we met with Zahur Ahmad Chowdhury, Minister for Health, Labor and Family Planning. (He presently has three wives and 32 children). He took us to his office in the Eden Building where we successfully obtained Government approval to upgrade our hospital and also to make it an inoculation center.
Chapter 15
A PERSONAL STORY
I first heard of Bangladesh, called East Pakistan at that time, in 1955. Rev. Victor Barnard, an Australian missionary, spoke in our church in Lakeview, Michigan and challenged us to consider working in that country. He spoke about the off-shore islands with thousands of people who needed the Gospel, the good news about Jesus. He talked about the many poor tribal peoples living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He talked about the medical needs in the country.
He also spoke of the death of his 12-year-old daughter Mary who, after a period of illness, died and was buried in a Chittagong cemetery. He spoke of the great need for schools for the children and a hospital for sick and suffering people. It was this man’s vision and challenge that aroused my interest in going to East Pakistan to serve the Bengali people.
On January 29, 1960, my wife Eleanor and I, and our three children, boarded the Hellenic Splendor, a Greek Freighter, in Brooklyn, New York and started our sea journey destined for Chittagong, East Pakistan. After stops in Crete, Athens, Port Said, Port Sudan, Jeddah, Karachi, Bombay, Cochin, Madras, and Rangoon, Burma, we arrived in Chittagong harbor 48 days later on March 17,1960. After settling into a rental house, and the birth of our son Phillip on May 16, we began the task of learning Bangla. The Bengali language is spoken by 250 million people in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. It is a beautiful language that I continue to use in retirement.
Our missionary predecessors, Victor and Winifred Barnard and Paul and Helen Miller had purchased a riverside plot of land in Bilchari, near the Chittagong Hill Tract town of Lama. They named that place Hebron, meaning “a center of refuge”. It was there that my wife and I started our ministry in 1960 with the tribal people of the Hill Tracts.
During our first year, we came to know people from the Tripura, Mogh (Marma) and Murung (Mru) tribes. In the following years and until our retirement in July 1996, my main work was with the Tripura people whose language I had learned. With the assistance of several colleagues, we translated the New Testament Bible (Injil) in their language. I also composed a hymn book for the Tripura Christians.
In late1961 I moved my family from Hebron to Chittagong to receive and help several new missionaries who were coming to join our medical team, including the Dr. Viggo Olsen family. After their arrival in Chittagong, Dr. Olsen and I worked together with government officials to locate property on which to build the Memorial Christian Hospital. After negotiations with government land authorities we were allotted 25 acres of forest land at Malumghat, 65 miles south of Chittagong, near the village town of Dulahazara. In March 1966, after the buildings were completed, we dedicated the hospital to our Heavenly Father and opened it for service to the public.
uuuuuu – Uvw viivivuu uuu uuuuuuuuu, u uw vuuu vi VuLLugu15, uvui un muguru vi Dulahazara. In March 1966, after the buildings were completed, we dedicated the hospital to our Heavenly Father and opened it for service to the public.
As I shared in the previous chapters, 1970 and 1971 proved to be eventful years for all of us living at Malumghat and Chittagong. We watched with great interest as the brave Bengali Freedom Fighters fought for the birth of a new nation. We have special memories of the liberation struggle and the events of 1971 leading up to the birth of Bangladesh! JOI BANGLA!
One of the saddest parts of the 1971 story came about after the Pakistan military crackdown when many Hindus were being forced to become Muslims. Out of fear for their lives and the lives of their children, many were pressured to change their religion. Some were forced to sign on a notarized stamped paper and others were forced to be circumcised. While this activity was going on, many Hindus came to us asking to become Christians. Our policy, as a Christian NGO, was not to baptize anyone into the Christian faith. Rather, we referred them to Bengali church pastors to make the proper decision.
Today, in a number of countries, Christians are being forced in the name of jihad to recant their faith or be killed. I became a Christian believer after hearing and considering the challenge to give my life to Jesus Christ (Hazrat Isa). That happened because of my choice. I was not born a Christian. I was not forced to become a Christian. Those people forced to change their religion would never become a loyal follower of that religion. Christian jihad is a fight against Satan and his evil influences in our world. I am a Christian today because of a personal choice to accept and follow the Christian truth as revealed in the Holy Bible (Holy Injil).
I count it a great privilege to have lived in East Pakistan from 1960 until the birth of Bangladesh in 1971, and after that, until our retirement in 1996. We believed it was God who raised up Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to lead the Bengali people to victory.
As I close my story I want to share my heart’s desire with you. Political freedom can never bring spiritual freedom. That can only come from God through His Holy Word. I encourage you to carefully read the third chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament Bible (Injil Sharif). There you will find out how your sins can be forgiven and how you can be assured of eternal life!
For my unbelieving readers, Jesus Christ is God’s special Prophet. Stories of His life, His death, His resurrection, His miracles and His promise to return again to take His followers to Heaven are written in God’s Holy Word, the Bible (Injil Sharif). May God richly bless each one of you!
I W Suung pumutai lauico, WHITINI Tasma anu Naitua uia, utsutuuan UI LWU buong pumua itautis, Sheikh Mujib and Colonel Zia Rahman, have played a major role, and still do so, in the early years of Bangladesh’s history.
The two major political parties in Bangladesh are the Awami League Party led by Sheikh Hasina Wajed and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Khaleda Zia Majumdar. In the Muslim world, where women are generally treated as second class citizens, these two women have been strong leaders, often vying for political power in Bangladesh.
SHEIKH HASINA Sheikh Hasina is the eldest daughter of her famous father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of the new nation of Bangladesh. He led the Awami League party to victory gaining political freedom and independence and the secession of East Pakistan from Pakistan in 1971.
Fortunately, Sheikh Hasina was absent the night in 1975 when her family was killed in a bloody military coup. She was interested in politics as a college student and joined the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League Party. She was married in 1971 to M.A. Wazed Miah.
Sheikh Hasina is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh since January 2001 when the Awami League Party won the election. She previously served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2001. As a staunch Democrat, she has the goal of creating meaningful change for the improvement of the economy for the Bengali People. Her party has tended to attract the support of the non-Muslim minorities living in Bangladesh.
KHALEDA ZIA MAJUMDAR leda Zia was born in the Dinajpur District of East Pakistan. She married Ziaur Rahman in 1960. He was an army officer in the East Pakistan government who became the 7h President of Bangladesh in 1977. He ruled the country until 1981 when he was assassinated in a military coup. Many believe that Colonel Zia was involved with the assassination of Sheikh Mujib in 1975.
became head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which her husband founded in the late 1970’s. She was never in agreement with Ershad’s military dictatorship. She openly opposed him and was detained by him more than seven times! After Ershad’s loss in the election of 200, Khaleda was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Khaleda was the longest serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh for 10 years until the Awami League prevailed and she was replaced by Sheikh Hasina in 2001.
Two strong political ladies, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, descendants of two strong political leaders, Sheikh Mujib and Colonel Zia Rahman, have played a major role, and still do so, in the early years of Bangladesh’s history.