Bangladesh-India friendship will be everlasting
MARCH 12, 1972
BANGABANDHU ADDRESSES FAREWELL PARADE OF INDIAN ARMY
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today expresses his confidence that the friendship and brotherly ties between Bangladesh and India will be everlasting and no power on earth can drive a wedge between them. Addressing the farewell parade of the Indian army in Bangladesh at Dhaka Stadium, the prime minister says that the people of Bangladesh may not possess enough resources to present you but "we have endless love for you".
"We want to bid you farewell today with the love that we have, and please accept it," he appeals.
Bangabandhu, in his seven-minute speech, recalls with gratitude the all-out help, assistance and cooperation extended to the struggling people of Bangladesh for their liberation by the people, government and armed forces of India and says that the assistance "you have given to us has no parallel in history."
ICJ PREPARES REPORT ON ATROCITIES
The International Commission of Jurists on war crimes has prepared an extensive factual report on the atrocities committed by the Pakistan army in Bangladesh. Niall Macdermot, secretary general of ICJ, today calls on Bangabandhu and informs him about the findings of the report. He also discusses the procedure for the trial of war criminals. Macdermot recalls the role played by the ICJ to save Bangabandhu from the clutches of Pakistan military junta by exerting international pressure on Pakistan.
Bangabandhu tells the secretary general that the Pakistan army destroyed everything, including the communication system and economy of the country. He urges that international public opinion should come forward to condemn the genocide in Bangladesh. He expresses the hope that the civilised people of the world will ensure that in the future no country suffers the kind of atrocities that the Pakistan army perpetrated on the people of Bangladesh.
RESIST ANTISOCIAL ELEMENTS
Bangabandhu fervently appeals to the people to rise as one and resist all antisocial elements, including smugglers and hoarders in the country. In a press statement issued today Bangabandhu calls upon the people to extend active cooperation to the border security forces, customs and other government agencies in their efforts to resist smuggling and hoarding throughout the country. The prime minister feels that people's committee should be formed in all border areas to mobilise public opinion against these culprits. He also expresses his concern over the sharp rise being registered in the prices of essential commodities as a result of smuggling and hoarding.
SOURCES: March 13, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, The Daily Ittefaq, Azad, Morning News, The Bangladesh Observer and Purbodesh.
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