Shamsuddoza Sajen

Shamsuddoza Sajen is a journalist and researcher. He can be contacted at [email protected]

Indomitable March: Bangabandhu flown to Karachi

In the evening, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was flown via helicopter from the cantonment, where he was detained, to the Tejgaon Airport. Afterwards, he was flown to Karachi by a special military aircraft.

4h ago

Indomitable March: Pak atrocity continues

On March 28, 1971, American Consul General in Dhaka, Archer K Blood, sent a telegram to Islamabad and Washington captioned “selective genocide”. He reported that they were “mute and horrified by a reign of terror by the Pakistan military” in East Pakistan. Pointing towards various pieces of evidence, Blood suggested that Awami League supporters and Hindus were being systematically targeted by the martial law administrators.

1d ago

Indomitable March: Archer K blood’s situation report

American Consul General Archer K Blood in a situation report submitted on March 27, 1971, wrote that according to numerous accounts, including eye witness reports, the Pak military crackdown on Bangalee nationalists has been carried out throughout Dacca swiftly, efficiently (despite heavy resistance from some quarters, including pro-Awami League police and East Pak Rifles), and often with ruthless brutality.

2d ago

Indomitable March: The gates of hell cast open

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a press statement issued today, called for a general strike throughout Bangladesh on March 27 against the army’s action in certain places in East Pakistan including Saidpur, Rangpur and Joydevpur.

4d ago

Indomitable March: Final meeting

There was a final meeting between Awami League’s team and Yahya’s advisers on March 24, 1971, at 6:00pm.

5d ago

Indomitable March: ‘Let us hope for best and remain prepared for worst’

The representatives of president Yahya Khan and an Awami League team met twice today.

6d ago

Indomitable March: The tripartite meeting: Mujib, Yahya, and Bhutto

On the morning of March 22, 1971, Bangabandhu called on Yahya. Bhutto was also present at the meeting.

1w ago

Indomitable March: Bhutto faces mass protest in Dhaka

In an unscheduled meeting, Yahya told Mujib and Tajuddin that Bhutto had been informed that the representatives of Awami League and the government reached an agreement on the formation of the central cabinet and that Bhutto should be present for the discussion on the interim constitutional instrument and cabinet formation.

1w ago
March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024

Indomitable March: ‘The military solution’ inked

On the morning of March 18, 1971, Major General Khadim Hussain Raja, the then general officer commanding of the 14th division in East Pakistan, and Major General Rao Farman Ali, the then military adviser to the governor of East Pakistan, assembled at the former’s office to work on the plan for military action -- the infamous Operation Searchlight.

March 17, 2024
March 17, 2024

Indomitable March: Mujib-Yahya talk continues

On the morning of March 17, Mujib-Yahya talks resumed. It was Sheikh Mujib’s 51st birthday.

March 16, 2024
March 16, 2024

Indomitable March: Bangabandhu calls on Yahya

Bangabandhu met Yahya on the morning of March 16. He arrived at the president’s house in a car flying a black flag to mourn the death of those killed during the ongoing non-cooperation movement.

March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024

Indomitable March: A cold welcome to Yahya

President Yahya Khan arrived in Dhaka. No local political leader went to the airport to meet him. All the entries to the airport were heavily guarded.

March 14, 2024
March 14, 2024

Indomitable March: Bhutto’s formula for transfer of power

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, stated at a public meeting in Karachi that if power was to be transferred to the people before any constitutional settlement, as demanded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it should be transferred to the Awami League in the East and the PPP in the West. He was quoted as saying, “Idhar hum, Udhar tum” (we here, you there).

March 13, 2024
March 13, 2024

Indomitable March: Growing support for Mujib’s demands from both wings

Mujib’s demands garnered widespread support in both wings of Pakistan.

March 12, 2024
March 12, 2024

Indomitable March: Meeting Yahya or not?

BBC reported that Yahya would visit Dhaka soon with a “package deal” to resolve the ongoing crisis in East Pakistan. The report also indicated the handover of power to elected representatives before the commencement of the National Assembly session.

March 11, 2024
March 11, 2024

Indomitable March: Bhutto’s urgent appeal to Mujib

In a telegram sent to Mujib on March 11, 1971, Bhutto expressed his willingness to come to Dhaka immediately to work out a solution so that the National Assembly session could be held soon.

March 10, 2024
March 10, 2024

Indomitable March: Mujib appeals to prevent genocide

In a press statement issued on March 10, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman urged the UN chief to take action to avert the threat of genocide in East Pakistan.

March 8, 2024
March 8, 2024

Indomitable March: Tikka Khan’s oath hiccup

Tikka Khan was handed over the responsibilities of both the governor and martial law administrator in East Pakistan. He was also the chief of Eastern Command. However, the all-powerful governor could not find a judge to swear him in as Justice BA Siddiqui, chief justice of the East Pakistan High Court, refused to administer the oath, citing “ill health” as the reason.

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