‘An independent country’s police can never behave like rulers’

May 9, 1972

BANGABANDHU VISITS SARADA POLICE ACADEMY

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today attends a passing out parade at Sarada Police Academy. Speaking at the programme the prime minister says that the Bangladesh police force has set a great example of patriotism by sacrificing their blood in the Liberation War. He recalls the valiant role played by the members of police deployed at Rajarbag Police Line in resisting the first strike by the Pakistan army on March 25, 1971. They fought for ideals and independence, he adds. Bangabandhu further says, "The role you played in the war has changed people's perception about the police. Today, they see you like their brothers. I hope you will live up to that spirit. You are sons of this soil. Serve people with love, magnanimity and idealism. Don't try to be rulers. An independent country's police can never behave like rulers."

BANGABANDHU'S RAJSHAHI SPEECH

On the second day of the four-day tour in North Bengal, Bangabandhu today arrives in Rajshahi. He addresses a mammoth gathering at the Madrassah Maidan. The prime minister urges people to devote themselves to the reconstruction of the war-torn country. Without sacrifice and hard work the country will not be able to recover from the damages caused by the Pakistan army, he adds.

Reiterating his goal to achieve Shonar Bangla, Bangabandhu says that if people work hard the dream can be realised within three years. There will be no hunger and exploitation in the Shonar Bangla, he declares.

Bangabandhu further says that he will never accept aid from anybody if it is offered with strings attached. We cannot pass on huge loan burden to our future generations by accepting conditional aid, he adds.

The prime minister says that there is conspiracy afoot, within and outside, against the new-born state of Bangladesh and urges the people to unite against the conspirators and resist them. He adds that the imperialist forces did not want Bangladesh to be independent and, therefore, they have employed local agents to create disturbances in the new-born country and tarnish its image.

SOURCE: May 10, 1972 issue of Dainik Bangla.