Pakistan Observer
20th September 1966
A. L. executives’ demand
Declare province a distressed area
(By A Staff Reporter)
East Pakistan Awami League Working Committee in its extended meeting, which concluded in Dacca on Sunday, has urged the Government to declare East Pakistan a distressed area and to take all-out measures to bring the “distressing food situation in the Province” under control.
The two-day meeting suggested immediate introduction of full rationing and fair price shops for the supply of foodstuff and other essential commodities throughout the province.
Presidents and secretaries of the district and sub-divisional Awami League committees, MNAs, MPAs and other leading members of the party also attended the meeting.
During its deliberations the meeting expressed its dissatisfaction at the “inadequate measures taken by the Government in the face of grave food situation in the province.
The Awami Leaguers have also called upon the Government to suspend realisation of taxes, loans, rents and other Government dues to relieve the affected people.
They demanded implementation of Krugg Mission report for effective and permanent flood control measures to save the province from the onslaught of flood every year.
In a resolution the meeting expressed concern over the situation in Dacca city following the recent deluge of rain and demanded immediate medical relief for the victims.
The meeting also demanded sufficient aid for the construction of homes of the affected people.
The meeting discussed the prevailing political situation in the province and demanded immediate release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The meeting also demanded
• immediate withdrawal of Emergency and release of leaders and workers detained under the provisions of DPR.
• withdrawal of restrictive laws curtailing the freedom of Press.
• immediate withdrawal of the order of forfeiture of New Nation Printing Press and immediate restoration of declaration of the “The Wave” and Desher Dak weeklies of Khulna.
• immediate release of Ittefaq Editor Mr. Tufazzal Hussain and other journalists throughout the province and urged the Government to give sufficient help to the jobless staff of Ittefaq.
The Working Committee reiterated its determination to go on with the peaceful and constitutional movement for the realisation of six-point programme, which is the “only means of bringing real and effective national unity.”
সূত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু তৃতীয় খণ্ড: ষাটের দশক॥ দ্বিতীয় পর্ব