Evil elements warned

June 22, 1972

BANGABANDHU VISITS NOAKHALI

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today visits Noakhali. He is accorded a hearty welcome on his arrival at Maijdee Court. Thousands throng the heliport to greet their beloved leader. Later, a public meeting is held at Shahid Bhulu Stadium where Bangabandhu says that the 15-day ultimatum is over and, from now on, the black marketers, smugglers, hoarders and other anti-social elements will be dealt with severe punishment. If necessary, the government will promulgate harsher laws to try the anti-social elements. "If they don't desist from their evil activities, they will be gunned down," warns the prime minister.

Referring to the atrocities committed by the Pakistan army and their local collaborators, Bangabandhu says that they will be tried at any cost. He adds that a certain quarter inside the country is now trying to tarnish the image of the government. "They never supported Bangladesh's liberation struggle. While I was languishing in jail, they were hobnobbing with the Pak generals," says the prime minister. He asks people to be aware of the machinations orchestrated by these evil elements.

Bangabandhu informs that the government has already distributed relief materials worth Tk 100 crore. He assures that the relief and rehabilitation programmes will continue unabated and the government will ensure proper distribution of aid and relief materials. He reiterates that Bangladesh needs help from friendly countries but such assistance must be without any strings attached.

The prime minister calls upon the people to devote themselves to the task of building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. He asks people to be patient and allow him three years to reconstruct the war-torn country.

UNICEF WILL SET UP 22,530 TUBE WELLS

A spokesperson of the Department of Public Health Engineering informs today that Unicef will set up 22,530 tube wells in Comilla, Noakhali and Sylhet districts. This initiative will create access for the villagers to pure drinking water, he adds.

SOURCES: June 23, 1972 issue of Purbodesh.