Mujibnagar draws up blueprint on war
By A Staff Reporter, The Bangladesh Government has drawn up a “blueprint” for setting up a liberation war mechanism in the occupied territory along with a plan for conducting administration and economic activity in the liberation areas.
The blueprint which has been drawn up with expert advice from some friendly countries was entrusted to a senior member of the Bangladesh Cabinet. It envisages the stationing of important members of the party along with MNAs and MPAs in the area of operation.
The economic plan is mainly concerned with the continuance by agricultural production at an increased tempo and the trading of surplus products with friendly countries.
Meanwhile in a news item published in “The People” the English language organ of the Awami League it has been stated that since a large-scale war “with the occupation army was imminent” the MNAs and MPAs and leaders of other organizations should go back to the liberated areas immediately.
The Awami League Working Committee was told by the Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam, who is also the Acting President of the Bangladesh Government and Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister in a report submitted to it that heavy attacks on the occupation forces would start soon.
According to Bangladesh diplomatic sources the Mukti Bahini had been able in the past few weeks to annihilate about 350 Pak troops every week.
The Awami League Working Committee which met in Mujibnagar for the third consecutive day on Thursday welcomed the increased interest shown by some of the foreign countries about Bangladesh.
The Committee issued a directive to the party workers to associate themselves with members of the Mukti Bahini in all areas and give positive political guidelines to the freedom fighters to help restore civil administration in the newly liberated zones. The party workers were also asked to keep in constant contact with the Government as also the Al leadership since sudden changes in the tactical line of struggle might be necessary depending on the changing strategy of the Pakistani troops.
The Committee discussed the party organizational matters and the steps to gear up the party machinery in several thousand liberated villages where it would be the party workers to instill confidence among the people. It sought cooperation of other parties and organizations to achieve the national objective even though it ruled out the idea of having any joint front or national liberation front on the ground of its enjoying support of an overwhelming majority in the last elections.
The Committee meeting attended by 48 members and presided over by the Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam, expressed full confidence in the present party leadership and the Government. It however, gave a note to the Foreign Ministry to keep constant watch on key partymen for the purpose of restraining their movement which might jeopardize the democratic cause of Bangladesh. This measure was taken in view of the report that some of the important AL members had been maintaining secret liaison with the US and a few other Western lobbying groups.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 30.10.1971