First year of Bangladesh: Bangabandhu’s nation-building challenges

FEBRUARY 8, 1972

BANGABANDHU RETURNS

FROM KOLKATA

Bangabandhu returns to Dhaka today morning after completing his two-day official visit to Kolkata. Bangabandhu on his arrival is given a hearty welcome by his cabinet colleagues, heads of diplomatic missions, MCAs, Awami League party and student leaders and a welcoming crowd.

MUJIB-INDIRA JOINT STATEMENT

The Indian Armed Forces in Bangladesh are to be withdrawn by March 25, 1972 according to a joint statement by Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The statement, issued at the end of Bangabandhu’s two-day visit to Kolkata, says: “The task having been completed, the two prime ministers felt that these armed forces should be withdrawn.”

The two prime ministers had detailed discussions covering every aspect of the mutual relations between the two countries. They resolved to give a practical shape to the legitimate and deeply felt aspirations of the common people of India and Bangladesh guided by the principles of democracy, socialism, secularism, non-alignment and opposition to racism and colonialism in all forms and manifestations, adds the statement. 

Dhaka University reopens

The University of Dhaka reopens finally today. President Justice Abu Sayeed Choudhury declares that there would be complete freedom for the universities in the country. “Those days of interfering with the university administration is no more. Now students must dedicate themselves to build up a new education system worthy of the new state,” says the president.

100 killed in Mirpur by Pakistani collaborators

At least 100 men of Bangladesh Force and Police were killed by Pakistani collaborators in Mirpur last week. Confirming the casualties an official spokesperson says that the miscreants, who had received huge quantities of arms and ammunition from Pakistani forces just before their surrender, had launched an unprovoked attack on the personnel of Bangladesh Force and Police.

He adds that the government had no intention to harass innocent persons in Mirpur. Out of about 1500 persons rounded up on suspicion from Sector 1 and Sector 2 of Mirpur, many were released after interrogation.

Accreditation letters in Bangla

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced Bangla letters in accreditation for the envoys posted in foreign countries.

Tk 18cr grants to rehabilitate displaced persons

In a bid to rehabilitate the millions of returnees from India at a speedy pace and save them from starvation, the government of Bangladesh has allocated more than Tk 18 crore in cash in addition to about 30 lakh maunds of food grains to the district authorities.

Sources: February 9, 1972 issues of Ittefaq, The Bangladesh Observer, Azad, Morning News, Dainik Bangla and Purbodesh.