July22

22 JULY 1971

News headlines and details from the Daily Morning News.

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E. Wing food situation satisfactory.

House and shops gutted: Number of people killed in Indian shelling in Comilla

Rawalpindi (APP)

A number of persons were killed and many others wounded in Comilla yesterday as a result of the Inidan shelling, it was officially stated here today.

The Indian field artillery opened up at 10.45 A.M. East Pakistan time without any provocation. A number of shops in the area caught fire and were completely gutted.

Another APP report from Comilla adds: Morter shelling from Indian territory bordering Comilla killed a number of people and injured six civilians besides gutting shops and houses.

Yesterday at about 10 hours two inch mortars fired from Indian territory Tripura bordering Comilla hit houses around Kotwali police station and Rahgonj, the busiest shoping centre and market place of the town killing an employee of a bakery by Yusuf school road and injured five others. Three shops caught fire and were completely gutted.

Anandamayee Kalibari was also badly hit.

Kotwali police station was heavily pounded. But shells fell on the houses around the police station and damaged public properties and injured a servant.

No damaged, however, was done to the police station building. Mortar shells that hit the house of Abu Naser, only 100 yards East and Feroz Box's house only 30 yards from the police station, partially damaged their buildings.

Four of the injured persons were let off after first aid and two were admitted into Sadar Hospital, Comilla. Strong resentment in prevailling in the town against this provocative act of India.

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Tunku arrives in city

The Secretary General of the Islamic Secretariat, Tunku Abdul Rahman, arrived in Dacca from Karachi this afternoon for a four day visit to East Pakistan, reports APP.

He was received at the airport by Dr. A.M. Malik, Special Assistant to the president for displaced persons and relief and rehabilitation operations in East Pakistan.

The Chief secretary to the Governor of East Pakistan, Director of Pakistan Foreign office in Dacca, Military secretary to the Governor of East Pakistan and principal protocol officer of the provincial Government were also present at the airport.

The Secretary-General of the Islamic Secretariat, who is accompanied by Mr. Kamal AL Shariff, Ambassador of Jordan, Mr. Solaiman Abu Ghaws charged' Affaires, Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Pakistan, Mr. Reza Teqavi, Representative of the Iranian Foreign Minister and Mr. Ali Bin Abdullah, Special Assistant to the Secretary-General. During the current trip to East Pakistan will visit some reception centres to see the arrangements made by the Government of Pakistan for relief and rehabilitation of the displaced persons.

The Secretary-General will also visit the cyclone-affected areas in Bhola and Patuakhali and see the progress of rehabilitation projects for the cyclone affected persons there.

In Dacca the Secretary-General will call on the Government of East Pakistan.

He will also meet prominent citizens of Dacca at a dinner to be given by them in his honour and visit the Islamic Academy and the Baitul Mukarram Mosque.

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MLA zone 'B' HQ shifted to EPA building.

The Headquarters of Martial Law Administrator Zone 'B' has shifted Governor's House to the East Pakistan Assembly Building on Airport Road and will start functioning at the new premises from today (Thursday), reports (APP).

The Headquarters of Sub-Martial Law Administrator subsector-1, have also shifted from East Pakistan Assembly Building to MPA Hostel on the Airport Road.

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PN helping flow to essential goods, Admiral Hasan told

The Pakistan Navy is giving substantial assistance to the administration in ensuring the flow of essential supplies, including food-grains and general cargo from Chittagong, Chalna and riverine ports to all parts of East Pakistan, reports APP.

The Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Navy Vice-Admiral Muzaffar Hasan, was conveyed this at a briefing at the Headquarters Flag officer commanding East Pakistan, in Dacca, on Tuesday morning.

This assistance, the commander-in-chief was informed, had helped in keeping the lifeline of the riverine transport operating extremely satisfactorily and effectively throughout these past months.

Vice-Admiral Muzaffar Hasan spent a busy day yesterday visiting the Headquarters, Navy Headquarters, Eastern command PAF Air Base and the Narayanganj Shipyard.

At the Navy Headquarters Navy, Vice-Admiral Muzaffar Hasan was received by Rear Admiral M. Shariff, Flag Officer Commanding, East Pakistan, who introduced him round the headquarters.

The commander-in-chief was briefed on the situation in East Pakistan by Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi at the Headquarters, Eastern Command.

From the Eastern Command headquarters the Pakistan Navy Chief visited the PAF base where he spent sometime.

After a visit to PN units, near Dacca, the Commander-in-Chief, accompanied by Rear Admiral Shariff proceeded to Narayangonj on board a PN patrol craft.

At the Narayangonj shipyard the Commander-in Chief was impressed by the skill of the staffs and complimented them on the fine job of work they were doing.

Later the commander-in-chief visited the IWTA jetty.

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Six held in city for possessing explosives

Six persons were arrested by the police from Dacca city area in connection with two different cases for possession of explosive materials, reports APP.

Some explosive materials were recovered from their posession.

In one case a police party while on patrol duty on the evening of July 14, apprehended one Ahsanullah, son of Lal Mohamad Sikdar of village Hashara in Sreenagar P.S. of Dacca District, who was moving about in a suspicious manner near Sutrapur iron bridge. He had in his possession a hand bag containing Grenades anti-personnel mines, TNT, stolen detonators, fuse and other explosive materials.

Investigation revealed that accused Ahsanullah along with three other Indian agents trained at Agartala camp, were sent to different parts of East Pakistan to disrupt the holding of SSC Examination.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Nazrul Islam, son of Mohamad Yasin of 272, Jatrabari in Tejgaon P.S.

In another case, one Nabiullah son of Shahzada of 138, Lutfar Rahman Lane, Kotwali P.S. was arrested on July 3 for being an Indian agent. Later on one Abdul Majid son of Mozam Ostagar of 5, Lutfar Rahman Lane, along with Abdul Quadir son of late Abdus Sattar of 143, Lutfar Rahman Lane and Habibullah son of Mian Chand Ostagar of 15, Lutfar Rahman lane of Korwali PS were arrested in this connection. An anti-personnel mine was recovered from shop of accused Abdul Majid.

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ML. order no. 157, 148 and 159

Martial Law no. 157, 158 and 159 were issued from the Headquarters of Martial Law Administration, zone 'B' in Dacca the other day, reports APP.

Following are the texts of MLOs:

Martial Law Zone 'B' Order No. 157

Martial Law Zone 'B' Order No.122, as reconstituted fire arms, ammunition or explosives. Persons holding licenced fire arms, fully verified by the police station concerned may carry the same for personal safety or protection while travelling from one district to another with the prior written permission of the Martial Law authorities of their respective areas.

2. this order shall not apply to members of the Armed Forces, Civil Armed Forces and police.

Martial Law Zone 'B' Order No. 158

Martial Law Zone 'B' orders No. 123,131 and 142 are hereby cancelled. They shall be deemed to have been cancelled with effect from the following dates:-

Marial Law Zone 'B' Order No. 123 April 2, 1971.

Marial Law Zone 'B' order No. 131, May 7, 1971.

Martial Law Zone 'B' Order No. 142 June 21, 1971.

Martial Law Zone 'B' Order No. 159

1. Any Razakar or a member of public may arrest any person who is proclaimed or an absconding offender, convict escapee or who is carrying any unlicenced fire arm, or who indulges in any act of Sabotage and subversion, attacks any thana, post offices, union council, banks or causes damage or interferres with the working of roads, railways, canals, aerodromes, telephone, telegraph, wireless installations or with any other government property, or is concerned with the commission of any non-bailable and cognizable offence.

2. The person so arrested shall be taken forth with to a police officer or in the absence of police officer he shall be taken to the nearest police station.

3. The police officer or the Officer in Charge of police station to whom any such arrested person is brought shall proceed against him in accordance with Law.

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Transfer of power shall improve situation —Tufail

Karachi (APP)

The Acting Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mian Mohammad Tufail today expressed the view that transfer of power to the elected representatives should help improve the situation in the country.

Addressing a press conference here he said that the transfer of power would help on the one hand in stopping foreign criticism and on the other give of a sense participation to the people of Pakistan.

He, however, said that this transfer should take place through the National Assembly. He said effects should be made to fill the seats of those National Assembly members who belonged to the outlawed Awami League and were involved in the recent upheaval in East Pakistan.

Mian Tufail reiterated his earlier proposal that those candidates who secured second position in the last General Elections should be declared elected from the vacant seats.

Replying to a question, he said, he was not advocating the case of his party's candidates. In fact he was advocating the national cause. By declaring elected those candidates who secured second position the entire benefit would not go to the Jamaat-e-Islami.

He said that under the present circumstances everybody should think in terms of the entire nation and not his own party. The country needed unity so that the present crisis could be overcome completely to pave the way for economic rehabilitation.

Replying to a question Mian Tufail said that during his stay in East Pakistan he discussed the proposed by-elections with East Pakistani leaders as well as the Governor of that province. He said that a few leaders including Major Afsaruddin, former MNA, agreed with him that the National Assembly should be summoned as early as possible and instead of by-elections candidates who secured second and even third positions should be declared elected.

He said that East Pakistani people were anxiously waiting for the visit of West Pakistani leaders so that they could see the situation in East Pakistan.

He told a questioner that besides other problems the major obstacle in the way of by-elections was this monsoon.

He said that the present crisis in East Pakistan was the creation of 'marwaris' and industrialists of Calcutta (India) who wanted to capture East Pakistan market trough their agents. He said with the exception of these stooges and agents all Bengalis and non-Bengalis had faith in one Pakistan.

Mian Tufail said that as their main purpose had been defeated by Pakistan's gallant forces now they were sending trained saboteurs in East Pakistan.

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Razakars urged to remain vigilant

Jessore (APP)

The Deputy Sub-Martial Law Administrator here urged the Razakars to devote fully to the cause of maintaining national integrity and solidarity.

Addressing the public meeting organised by the local Peace Committee at Tasbir Mahal on Friday last, the Deputy Sub-Martial Law Administrator further advised the Razakars to remain vigilant against the miscreants and infiltrators. He emphasised that the country must be cleared of the anti-social and anti-State elements who might disturb the peace of common man.

The Deputy Sub-Martial Law Administrators said it was the duty of all of us to give our very best to attain the mission. He also reminded the people the motto of Quaid-e-Azam "Unity, faith and discipline" and advised them to be imbued with the ideology of Pakistan.

The Deputy Sub-Martial Law Administrator donated Rs. 2000 to Razakars in recognition of their excellent services in apprehending a large number of miscreants.

Earlier, a passing out parade of Razakars was held at the Town Hall Compound where the Deputy Sub-Martial Law Administrator took the Salute.

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Inflow of DPs continues

The in flow of displaced Pakistan nationals is continuing as usual, reports APP. During the last four days 26,000 returnees crossed over into East Pakistan, 2,200 of them into Sylhet district alone.

The number of non-Muslims returnees was 500.

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Prof. Williams in city

Prof. Rushbrook Williams, an eminent British historian arrived in Dacca yesterday on a four day visit to East Pakistan, reports APP.

Prof. William was accompanied by his wife.

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Bhutto accepts president's plan with reservations

Lahore (APP)

The Pakistan People's Party Chairman, Mr. Z.A. Bhutto said last night that he had accepted the presidential plan for transfer of power with certain reservation and not the whole as broadcast by Radio Pakistan.

Talking to newsmen at the Lahore Airport before his departure for Karachi, about the press conference addressed by him earlier is the day he said. The Presidential broadcast of June 28 last could be bifurcated into two namely plan of transfer of power and president's own observations.

He said he and his party had reservations on the plan.

There are certain things in it to which we agree. For instance the role of Awami League and that the fresh elections could not be held.

He said on president's observations negotiations were going on between him and the president.

He criticised PDP leader, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan for saying that Mr. Bhutto should not have discussed national politics out side Pakistan. He said the Nawabzada had no locus stand. The Nawabzada should remember that the joint communique issued after discussions with Shahinsha of Iran said that president Yahya Khan had discussed with him national problems as could be done with friendly country.

He said the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islam also wrote letters to the heads of friendly and unfriendly countries about the outcome of the results of the elections, telling them all sorts of lies. Was that not discussion of national politics with other countries, he asked.

He also said that he expected co-operation from the press but added that he could not address the press any longer if it went on misquoting and misreporting him and we have to give up the small mass media that we have at our disposal now.

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