(Continued from last day's section)
Siddiq Salik, the press secretary of AK Niazi, also said that Bangabandhu declared independence with a special frequency of wireless immediately after the Pakistan occupation force started the crackdown on the Bengalee people.
Bangabandhu’s declaration in international media on March 26, 27
The New York Times (March 27, 1971):
The Pakistan radio announced today that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nationalist Leader of East Pakistan, had been arrested only hours after he had proclaimed his region independent and after open rebellion was reported in several cities in the East... The 51-year-old leader of the Awami League, the dominant party in the East, was arrested as the West Pakistan-dominated army sought to reassert control in the East.
The Daily Times (March 27, 1971)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Acknowledged leader of Bengali nationalism responded heroically to the Pakistan Army's Intervention with a call for resistance and Declaration of Independence. There is a good evidence that most members of the Bengali regiments will accept his orders. Shortly before his arrest Mujib had issued a proclamation to his people, which informed them: You are citizens of a free country. Today the West Pakistan's Military is engaged in genocide in Bangladesh. Our struggle is most rewarding, certain is victory. Allah is with us. The world public opinion is with us. Joy Bangla -victory of Bengal.
The Financial Times (March 27, 1971)
Civil war after East Pakistan declares independence.
The Press Trust of India (March 26, 1971)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman tonight proclaimed East Pakistan the Sovereign independent people's Republic of Bangladesh, according to a clandestine radio report monitored near the East Pakistan.
The Guardian (March 27, 1971)
Shortly before his arrest, Mujib had issued a proclamation to his people, which informed them: you are citizens of a free country.
The Stateman (March 27, 1971)
Bangladesh declares freedom: Rahman's step follow's Army crackdown.
BBC and NDP (March 26, 1971 – 9:07pm bulletin)
Both British media BBC, NDP and PTI broadcast the news of declaration of independence by Bangabandhu at 09:07pm on March 26. At a bulletin at 8:21pm on March 26, United News of India reported: Sheikh Mujibur declared the independence from Shawadin Bangla Betar Kendra.
US Documents (Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), about March 25 in 1971 said (Article 1 of 43rd spot report):
Pakistan was thrust into civil war today when Sk. Mujibur Rahman proclaimed the East wing of the two –part- country to be ''The sovereign independent People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Broadcast of the declaration of independence in wireless
Md Abdul Qader, an engineer at Salempur Wireless Station in Chattagram said: “In the morning of 26 March Mr Mejbah had received a message of Bangabandhu’s declaration of independence. I hurriedly wrote down the message. Mr Mejbah Uddin also informed me that he was able to send the message instantly to the service channel and maritime mobile of the VHF network at the wireless station. Then the message was sent to different parts of the world through foreign ships like MV Salvista, MV Mini La Tria and MVVV Giri which were staying at Chattagram port.
Bangabandhu’s Declaration of Independence was read out by different voices later on. Awami League leaders and activists copied it and distributed it as leaflets soon in different regions. People working at the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra also read out the declaration for several days.
Belal Mohammad, one of the organizers of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, said: “Many of us read out Bangabandhu’s declaration paper obtained from Doctor Anwar Ali. Major Zia also read it out after many of us, and of course on behalf of Bangabandhu.”
As the Liberator of the Bengali nation, Bangabandhu was always very sharp and applied his political wisdom carefully. Neither the Pakistani military nor did the international community understand his next course of actions for freedom, but it was the Bengali nation to whom he spread his directives very well, And people from all walks of lives joined the Liberation War and achieved the victory upon the instructions they received from the Father of the Nation.
(Concluded)
Tonmoy Ahmed is Coordinator ALBD Web Team, Centre For Research And Information
