Heavy Fighting After UDI By East Pakistan
By Our Foreign Staff
Heavy fighting was reported from several areas of East Pakistan last night as Government troops moved in to crush a breakaway movement led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was denounced by President Yahya Khan in a nationwide broadcast as a traitor. East Pakistan’s declaration of independence came from a clandestine radio broadcast calling itself the Voice of Bangladesh, the Bengali homeland, which was monitored from the Indian town of Agartala, close to the border. It said the East Bengal Regiment, the East Pakistan Rifles, and the entire police force had surrounded West Pakistan troops in Chittagong and several other towns. It said fighting was continuing and called upon people to come out of their homes with whatever weapons they had to resist President Yahya’s troops.
The broadcast was not made by Sheikh Mujib – who was reported to have gone underground – but the announcer said the Sheikh had declared the 75 million people of East Pakistan as citizens of the “sovereign independent Bangladesh.” It said that Sheikh Mujib “was the only leader of the people of Bangladesh and his command should be obeyed by all sections of the people to save the country from the ruthless dictatorship of West Pakistani”… the people should continue their movement for independence until the last enemy soldier is vanquished.”
All-India Radio, quoting reports from the border, said Dacca had been turned into a battlefield”… both sides had suffered heavy casualties with outbursts in Cornilla, Jessore, Barisal and Khulna. From Calcutta, there were reports that at least 10,000 more troops had landed in Eastern ports bringing the total West Pakistan forces in the province to about 70,000. The martial law administrator of East Pakistan, Lieutenant-General Tikka Khan admitted in a broadcast over Dacca Radio that the “law and order situation was out of control.” But he gave no details of the fighting and later broadcasts claimed that the province was under the full control of the authorities.
Imperative
The Sheikh’s declaration came soon after President Yahya had accused him and the Awami League Party of treason. In a broadcast, the President said the situation in the East had taken a very serious turn and it had become imperative that it should be brought under control as soon as possible. He said Sheikh Mujib had flouted the authority of the Government and had attacked the integrity of Pakistan. “This crime will not go unpunished,” he said, and assured all Pakistanis that his aim remained the same – the transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people. “As soon as the situation permits, I will take fresh steps towards the achievement of this objective”. “But in view of the grave situation which exists in the country today. I have decided to ban all political activities throughout the country. As for the Awami League, this is completely banned as a political party. I have also decided to impose complete press censorship.”
Sheikh Mujib, the President said, had attacked the solidarity and integrity of the country: his action of starting a non-cooperation movement was an act of treason, “He and his party have defied the lawful authority for over three weeks. They have insulted Pakistan’s flag and defiled photographs of the father of the nation. They have tried to run a parallel Government. They have created turmoil, terror and insecurity”.
Power hungry In angry tones, the President said he could not allow power hungry despots to destroy Pakistan and play with the destinies of 120 million people. The army had been ordered to “fully restore the authority of the Government” – but he did not say what the troops would do to achieve this objectives or what opposition they were encountering
Resentment in the Eastern wing of the nation against the more prosperous Western province in which the administrative capital Islamabad, is situated and which was seen as getting favored treatment from the Government, has long threatened to split the country. The present secessionist movement in the East follows directly from the President’s decision to postpone the National Assembly call to draft a new constitution. Sheikh Mujib’s Awami League is the largest political party in the East and self-rule was one of its six points in December’s elections.
Last week, President Yahya flew to Dacca for talks with Mujib and was joined from the West this week by Mr. Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People’s party. The talks apparently broke down and the last direct messages from Dacca said 35 people had been killed and more than one hundred injured by troops in the Rangpur and Chittagong districts.
Reference: The Guardian, 27 March, 1971.