The Daily
Morning News
Some Important Entries
20 MARCH 1971
News headlines and details from the Daily Morning News.
News Headlines:
- Bhashani ends his address abruptly.
- More support to Mujib.
- No force can suppress people, says Mujib.
- USSR diplomat meets Mujib.
- Mujib condemns Joydevpur firing.
- World Bank to study Bengal's economic situation.
- 3 killed, many injured in Army firing at Joydevpur.
- 90-
minute talks held: Advisers to assist Mujib, Yahya today.
Other Headlines:
- Daultana, Mufti Mahmood, Shawat Hayat in city.
- Osman Ali passes away.
- Adviser-
level meeting held for two hours. - Press reports denied.
- First aid centres to be set up in Sylhet.
- Diversion of food ship a conspiracy.
- Defence Civilian Employees body urges lifting of MLR-
115. - AL team visits affected areas in Chittagong.
- Beware of trickeries, Mujib asked.
- Two different sets of directives for PIA employees.
(APP)
Chittagong, March 19 (APP): Maulana Bhashani had to end abruptly his address after speaking for only a few minutes when pandemonium stated over failure of the microphone system. The unprecedented gathering of people at Laldighi Maidan became angry when it found that Maulana Bhashani's speech was not audible. In no time amplifiers put on the bamboo poles were being pulled down and beaten flat with thick bamboo sticks and stones.
Maulana Bhashani tried to pacify the people in his choked voice but as people were not hearing him the trouble continued. Ultimately he announced that he would address another public meeting on Sunday and adjourned the meeting.
He was then escorted out of the maidan by his red capped volunteers and members of the public. Later, a procession was taken out.
More supports have been extended to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib in his movement for emancipation of Bangladesh by various associations and organisations.
The Bangladesh Dak Jiban Bima Karmachari Union (Postal Life Insurance Employees Union), the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (East Zone), the officers of the Chittagong Port Trust, the East Pakistan Ministerial Officers Association, The Bengla Institute of Industrial Accounts, the class III and IV employees of Salim Ullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Hotel Purbani International Workers Union, The Staff of the Navana Motors, and officers of the Directorate of Labour, Inspectorate of Factries and Establishments and officers of the Register of Trade Unions, Bangladesh Marwari Action Committee, the Employees of the National Insurance Company expressed their solidarity with the current mass movement in Bangladesh.
(APP)
Sheikh Mujib yesterday warned that no amount of force could suppress the demands of seven crores of Bengalees; no matter in what manner it was being used against the unarmed Bengalees, reports APP.
Addressing a gathering of Bikkhubda Biggan Karmachari Union in front of his house, who had come in a procession, the Sheikh declared that no sacrifice would be considered enough to emancipate the people of Bangladesh.
The Sheikh said the roads and lanes of Bangladesh were stained with the blood of martyrs for the cause of the people. Today again, the roads of Joydevpur had been besmeared with the blood of Bengalees, he said.
How much blood you want to quench your thirst, he asked. He said they do not feel even sorry what to speak of tears for all these blood they were shedding, he added.
(PPI)
Russian Consul-
(APP)
Sheikh Mujib strongly condemned the firing at random on the unarmed people at Joydevpur earlier in the day, reports APP.
Talking to newsmen he said: "If they think they can suppress people's struggle by
bullet and force, they simply live in a fool's paradise". He added it was an uncalled
for action which took place when president Yahya who is also the C-
The Awami League chief said he wondered how army could go to the Joydevpur Bazar when martial law authorities had stated that troops had already been withdrawn to the barracks.
Sheikh Mujib said people of Bangladesh were no doubt in favour of a peaceful settlement of the problems but that could not mean that the people can be frightened by the use of force. No power on earth can suppress the people when they are prepared to shed blood.
In reply to a question Mujib said he had already sent some of his partymen to the spot and added it could not be ascertained as yet how many persons were killed.
He said curfew had been imposed in the area and as such it was difficult even to pick up the injured persons from there.
Asked if his party leaders, who went in the evening to meet the president's advisers would bring the incident to the notice of the martial law authorities, Sheikh Mujib said, "Is it not natural?"
Replying to another question, he said, he had sent his party leaders to Chittagong to make fuller assessment of how many people were killed and the extent of damages covered by the recent incidents.
A delegate from the World Bank will soon visit East Pakistan to study the economic condition of the province, it was learnt here last night.
The mission is now studying the problem's in the various provinces of West Pakistan. The mission while here would visit some parts of the province.
(Staff Rep.)
At least three persons were killed and many injured when Army personnel opened fire
on crowds at Joydevpur railway crossing and the Tangail-
The exact number of casualties in the firing could not be ascertained till the writing of this report, unofficial sources feared the figure would be higher in view of the continuous firing which went on from 30.45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A team of Awami League leaders headed by Mr. Shamsul Huq, MNA-
As curfew was imposed since early evening it was not possible for newsmen to visit the area unofficial sources said the firing had taken place at about 4 p.m. A military vehicle which had gone to Joydevpur from Dacca Cantonment came across a barricade at the Joydevpur level crossing since it was hutday thousands of people were present at the spot. The Army personnel fire on the angry crowd which had allegedly refused to remove the barricade. An Awami League leader said that he had pleaded with the Army Commander to give him some time to persuade the people to remove the barricade. He said his pleading went in vain. And the shooting began.
(Staff Rep.)
Sheikh Mujib had a 90-
During the talk at president Bhavan they were alone as on previous occasions. The talks resume at 10 a.m. today. Both Mujib and Yahya will be assisted by their aides.
After the talks Sheikh Mujib who was in a relaxed mood while talking to newsmen at the lawn of his Dhanmondi residence said that "discussion on political situation is continuing". He said that it required sufficient time to resolve the problem as it was not an easy matter.
In reply to the question whether any document figured in the talks, Sheikh Mujib said, "Nothing of the sort." He, however, said that his advisers would discuss with presidents' advisers this evening (Friday evening) to decide if there will be any formula and how they would proceed.
He said that during the fourth round tomorrow (today) he would be assisted by Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain Mansur Ali, Khondokar Mustaq Ahmed, A.H.M. Kamruzzaman and Dr. Kamal Hossain. When asked as to who will be assisting the president during the talks today he said, "I don't know".
When asked if he was satisfied with his talks with president Yahya Khan, Sheikh Mujib said, " I always hope for the best and prepare for the best and prepare for the worst". When asked about progress for talks he said, "I have nothing to say, it is up to you to guess. You can assume anything you like."
Responding to the question whether he discussed his four point demand in the talks (yesterday) he said, "My stand is quite clear. The whole world knows for what the people of Bangladesh sacrificed their lives and suffered."
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Profile of Bengal