Dawn
16th February 1969
Withdrawal of Agartala case & Mujib’s release Demands by
mammoth Paltan Maidan meeting
From Mahbubul Alam
DACCA, Feb 15: A huge public meeting held under the auspices of the Democratic Action Committee in Paltan Maidan yesterday afternoon emphasised that the lifting of Emergency release of all political detenus, amnesty for those convicted in political cases, withdrawal of the Agartala Conspiracy case, and release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, among others, were essential steps which the Government must take for creating a congenial atmosphere for the proposed political dialogue.
The meeting witnessed pandemonium for over half an hour and was marked by persistent slogans in favour of the East Pakistan students Action Committee’s Eleven-point demands and withdrawal of the Agartala case and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s release. In the confusion the students who frequently chanted the Eleven-point slogans, gained ground and their leader. Tofail Ahmed went to the rostrum twice to pacify the crowd. He remained on the stage till the end of the meeting, rising on his feet off and on, to control the crowd whenever there were interruptions. Taking the mike the leader of the All-party students Action Committee asked the leaders from the rostrum: We want to know on what basis you have adopted the Eight-point programme (of DAC)? He said, they were for Eleven-point programme and wanted the release of Sheikh Mujib.
Earlier, there was also confusion over the presidentship of the meeting. There were cries of “no no” when the name of the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Nurul Amin was proposed for taking the chair. Some leaders tried to pacify the crowd in vain and it was after Mr. Tofail came to the mike and appealed for calm that the crowd was pacified.
The just released Secretary of the Six-point East Pakistan Awami League Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed, addressing, said that as long as Sheikh Mujib would not be released no problem could be solved. He stressed the need for keeping the current struggle alive.
CHARTER OF DEMANDS
Mr. Tajuddin said, while the leaders were going to Lahore and Pindi to realise the charter of people’s demands, the people would carry on their movement Addressing the leaders, he said, if they failed to …lise the people’s demands they should come back. But in no case should the leaders how down to the Government.
Prof Mozaffar Ahmed, President of the East Pakistan National Awami Party (Requisttionist Group) declared his support for students Eleven-point demands. He told the meeting that Eight- point demands of DAC would pave the way for realising other demands also.
The professor said political discussions with the Government did not mean surrender or compromise. Emphasising the need for peaceful and constitutional movement, he said, movement and talks could be carried on at the same time, and cited the case of Viet-Nam where talks and fighting were going on simultaneously.
He told the meeting, if Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s party decide not to participate in the proposed talks without him, his Party would also do the same.
Awami League’s Nazrul Islam the acting President of the Six- point said, there would be no compromise with the President if they could not secure the release of Sheikh Mujib. He said, his Party was going to Lahore with the mandate of Sheikh Mujib. He stressed, however, that congenial atmosphere must be created for the proposed talks. He assured the meeting that talks do not mean compromise.
He said if the pre-conditions for talks, such as, withdrawal of Emergency, withdrawal of Agartala case and release of political prisoners etc. were not fulfilled them his Party would not go to the Conference.
Mr. Nazrul Islam supported the students Eleven-point demands Khandkar Moshtaq of Six-point Awami League also spoke.
The meeting, by a resolution, demanded direct election on the basis of adult franchise, parliamentary federal form of government, among other things. It said, the programme of DAC had been formulated on the basis of demand for federal parliamentary system of Government having provision for autonomy etc.
Mr. Farid Ahmed of Nizame Islam Party said, they were determined to secure the release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which was one of their demands. Describing the demand for Sheikh Mujib’s release as a national demand he assured the people that they were not going to do anything against the wishes of Sheikh Mujib.
A big procession was taken out after the meeting. The processionists carried a number of banners and placards embodying various demands and chanted slogans demanding withdrawal of Agartala Case and pledging support for students Eleven-point programme.
COMPENSATION URGED
APP adds: Later the meeting, be resolutions, demanded compensation to the families affected by the Police firing, judicial inquiry headed by a High Court Judge into the firings at various places in the country and punishment to the culprits involved in the firing.
The meeting also expressed “no confidence” in the present regime and demanded the formation of a democratic Government, directly elected on universal suffrage. By another resolution, the meeting demanded withdrawal of Agartala case and other political cases, and grant of fundamental rights, withdrawal of University Ordinances, and Defence of Pakistan Rules and Safety Act.
Besides demanding abolition of the Certificate system, the meeting also called for the declaration of Feb 21 as a National Holiday.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯