Political freedom must embody economic emancipation

APRIL 3, 1972

BANGABANDHU'S ULTIMATUM TO THE US

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gives the Nixon administration 10 days' time to recognise Bangladesh or the Bangladesh government would close down the US Mission in Dhaka. This is disclosed by Senator Bill Hugle, who calls on Bangabandhu today at Ganabhaban. Senator Hugle, who is very critical of the Nixon administration, says the US Mission in Dhaka does not even know when the Nixon administration will accord recognition to Bangladesh.

BANGABANDHU ADDRESSES WORKERS' CONFERENCE

Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today says that political freedom has no meaning without economic emancipation of the people.  Addressing a workers' conference, Bangabandhu says that his government is fully committed to establishing socialistic economy in the country for the welfare of the people. He adds that the government has taken a bold step in this regard by nationalising the industries, banks and insurance companies. He says what his government has done during the last two and a half months to establish socialism in the country is unique in history. The prime minister says that his government firmly believes that without socialism, people's progress in Bangladesh is impossible.

Stressing the need to maintain peace and order for the effective running of the industries, the prime minister says that the abandoned industries have been virtually left without capital. Their owners have drawn overdrafts. After taking them over, the government has to make arrangements so that the industries run smoothly and at the same time, the workers receive their salaries.

Bangabandhu declares that khash mahal land will be distributed among the landless peasants. He also assures that arrangements have been made to procure enough food grains. "Nobody will die for want of food," says the prime minister.

GOVT TAKING STEPS TO BRING BACK BANGALEES

Bangabandhu today says that the government is taking all possible measures to bring back the Bangalees from Pakistan. Talking to a group of wives and relatives of the stranded Bangalees today morning in front of his office at the Secretariat, Bangabandhu sympathises with their difficulties and grievances and advises them to have patience.

TORNADO TOLL NOW UP TO 200

The death toll in the tornado that hit seven unions of Fulbari thana about 10 miles from Mymensingh on April 1, 1972 evening is stated to have risen to 200, according to unofficial reports. 

SOURCES: April 4, 1972 issues of Ittefaq, The Bangladesh Observer, Azad, Morning News, Dainik Bangla and Purbodesh.