41,000 arrested on charges of collaboration, corruption

October 3, 1972     

STEPS TAKEN TO CURB CORRUPT AND PRO-PAKISTAN ELEMENTS

Home Minister Abdul Mannan announces today that over 41,000 collaborators including about 275 police officials have so far been arrested by the government. More over about 40 police personnel and a number of senior civil officials are under suspension on charges of corruption and collaboration, he adds. Addressing a public meeting in Bogura, the home minister says that charges against many more are under investigation and they would be brought to book in course of time. All these steps, he says, are directed to clean the administration in particular and the society in general of corrupt and undesirable elements.

INDONESIA, BARBADOS BACK BANGLADESH ADMISSION

Indonesia and Barbados made a powerful plea in the United Nations General Assembly yesterday that Bangladesh should be admitted as a member of the world body. They also praised the Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan. Indonesia's permanent representative Ch Anwar Sani told the Assembly that Indonesia had established diplomatic relations with the new nation. "We regret that this new state has recently been denied membership in the United Nation. Indonesia firmly believes that Bangladesh should be accepted as a member," he added.

However, Albania opposed Bangladesh's admission at the General Assembly Session and criticised India.

TALKS ON WORLD BANK AID BEGINS

The three-member World Bank team today initiates talks with Bangladesh Planning commission to ascertain the extent of assistance the Bank could extend to the new nation in the field of agriculture and irrigation. It is expected that an agreement or an understanding between the two may be reached before the team leave Bangladesh early next week.

SOURCES: October4, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.