The Daily
Morning News
24 MARCH 1971
News headlines and details from the Daily Morning News.
News Headlines:
- AL leaders visit mazars of Shaheeds.
- Yahya urged to transfer power immediately.
- Protirodh Dibash observed throughout Bangladesh.
- No compromise on principles, says Mujib.
- Troops escort Khan Quyyum to president Bhavan.
- UK, USSR mission hoist Bangladesh flag.
- 24-
hr. notice on Kachukhet shopkeepers.
Other Headlines:
- Hectic parleys in city continue.
- Objective is sovereign Bangladesh.
- Harassment of newsmen by army condemned.
- Masihur calls for unity of leftist forces.
- Chou reaffirms support to Pakistan.
- One unit can't be revived.
Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish and Mr. Zaheeruddin MNAs-
Two other leaders Mr. Abdul Momin and Mr. Shamsul Haque also visited yesterday the Mazars of the Shaheeds at Joydevpur and offered fateha.
Three accused of the Agartala conspiracy case, messrs, A.B.M. Khurshid; Abdul Aziz and Dalil Uddin, in joint statement last night urged president Yahya to immediately transfer power to majority party leader Sheikh Mujib. They also condemned the recent firing and killing of the unarmed people by army.
They further called upon the people of Bangladesh to stand firmly united under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib.
(Staff Rep.)
Protirodh Dibash (Resistance Day) was observed yesterday in Dacca as elsewhere in Bangladesh in response to a call by the Swadhin Bangla Desh Kendria Chhatra Sangram Parishad.
A number of other political, students and workers' organisations who had their own programmes also observed the day in a befitting manner.
The day was a closed holiday all over Bangladesh in response to a directive of Mujib.
Hoisting of Swadhin Bangla flag atop all buildings and vehicles, paraded by Joy Bangla Bahini and others, rallies, meetings and processions were some of the highlights of the day's programmes.
Also fluttering with the new flag is the black flag hoisted 23 days ago in protest against the postponement of the National Assembly session. Both the flags flew atop the Mujib's residence.
A large flag of Bangladesh fluttered side by side with a black flag throughout the day on the main mast of Hotel Intercontinental where the PPP chief Mr. Bhutto and other to West Pakistani leaders are staying.
Some employees of the hotel Raisted the Bangladesh flag ceremonially in presence of a group of local and foreign newsmen.
A junior army officer immediately came there and asked an employee of the hotel to remove the flag. "You can pull it down but I am not going to do so" was the reply of the hotel employees. After sometime the Army officer left the place.
The Bangladesh flag was found fluttering along with a black flag throughout the day under which the troops are guarding the hotel as security measures for Mr. Bhutto and Khan Abdul Qayyum.
The Bangladesh flag was also hoisted atop the ordance factory at Gazipur.
Meanwhile Dacca which was so long the city of black flags turned into a city of Bangladesh flags yesterday.
Following the hoisting of flags a "probhat ferri "(early morning procession) was brought out from the mazars of martyrs at Azimpur graveyard where the people assemble in processions.
Parade
The main attraction of the day was the parade of "Joy Bangla Bahini" at Paltan Maidan. Four leaders of the Students Action Committee took the salute. Before the parade the new flag was ceremonially hoisted while the song—Sonar Bangla Ami Tomae Bhalobashi— was played.
KSP
The Krishak Sramik Party held a meeting at the mazar compound of the Sher-
EPSU
The East Pakistan Students Union, the students' wing of East Pakistan National Awami Party (Wali Khan) demanded yesterday that power must immediately be transferred to the majority party and in the new government the Armed Forces must not have any place.
(Staff Rep.)
Sheikh Mujib said yesterday that no sacrifice would be deemed great enough for achieving the cherished goal of the 75 million of people of Bangladesh. And our movement, he told, streams of processions that went to his Dhanmondhi residence yesterday would continue till we have achieved our rights to live as free citizens of a free country.
Sheikh Saheb said people no doubt wanted a peaceful solution of their problems but that did not mean that they can be suppressed by force; we have shed blood and if necessary, we shall shed the last drop of our blood to the last man, for the emancipation of the oppressed people of Bangladesh, he said.
Sheikh's determination found its expression in all his speeches. He told the huge procession of the volunteer corps of the students league. Our struggle is for emancipation and freedom. "There could be no compromise on our principles and demands of Bangladesh, he told the flag waving— processionists. The 75 million people were united and nothing could stand in the way of their victory. He told them to follow his leadership, because I know the aspirations of my people. The successful commander was he who could attain the maximum with minimum bloodshed", he reminded them.
Addressing the Awami League volunteers Sheikh Mujib said if the demands of the people
of Bangladesh were not resolved peacefully he would launch such a country-
The volunteers also gave a ceremonial salute to the Sheikh. He said people of Bangladesh have demonstrated their unity during last 23 days. The mothers and sisters have also come out on the street, he said and added that this had amply demonstrated that no power on earth could now suppress the people in realising it.
He said he had been making efforts for a peaceful settlement for long and was still trying for it. He said people must have to take up the path of struggle if the demands were not met peacefully.
We have nothing to lose. What do we have that we will lose?, he asked. It were the exploiters who would really lose, he added. Sheikh Mujib also addressed the Joy Bangla Bahini.
(PPI)
Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan called on president General Yahya at president Bhavan yesterday evening, reports PPI. They remained together for over an hour.
The Khan, who arrived at his hotel under heavy security guard from the airport yesterday morning, remained in the hotel throughout the day. He came down from his room under heavy security guard at 6 p.m. and was taken to the waiting army car in front of the hotel encircled by armed forces. An army truck with jawans pointing their guns followed his car upto the president Bhavan.
Meets Bhutto
Immediately after his arrival in Dacca Qayyum went into discussion with the PPP chief Mr. Bhutto at the latter's hotel suite. Mr. Bhutto reportedly apprised Qayyum Khan of the nature of talks he had with the president.
(ENA)
The British High Commission and the Soviet Consulate General hoisted yesterday the flag of Bangladesh in response to the call by the Swadhin Bangladesh Kendriya Chhatra Sangram Parishad. The Soviet Consulate General hoisted the flag of Bangladesh on the same mast under their own national flag and the British High Commission hoisted the flag of Bangladesh on a separate mast while the Union Jack flew from the main mast, reports ENP.
The Chinese Consulate-
(Staff Rep.)
About 100 Shopkeepers in Kachukhet Market in Cantonment area have been asked by the military authorities to remove their structure immediately. A notice served by the military estate officer, East Pakistan circle, said, "Licenses expired since long shopkeepers being trespassers are hereby directed to remove structures from military lands in Kachukhet and vacate sites within 24 hours. Failing which structure will be forfeited and sites cleared at their risk and cost says military estate officer (East Pakistan circle).
According to Gazi Akram Hossain of the Shopkeepers' Association of Kachukhet Market, they have been continuing their business undisturbed in the area since 1967. He also said that the matter had been brought to the notice of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Profile of Bengal