Bangla Desh declares freedom – Rahman’s step follows army crackdown

The Statesman (New Delhi), India, March 27, 1971

Pakistan’s eastern wing, rechristened the independent state of Bangla Desh by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a clandestine radio broadcast, was in the throes of a civil war on Friday with west wing troops resorting to force to regain control and the people, aided by the East Pakistan Rifles and the police resisting the attempt, reports UNI.

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Speaking over "Swadhin Bangla" (Free Bengal) Betar Kendra, Mr. Rahman later proclaimed the birth of an independent Bangla Desh.

The declaration was made shortly before General Yahya Khan went on the air in the West wing to announce that the army had been instructed to reassert the Government’s authority in the East wing. He called Mr. Rahman and his followers traitors.

Mr. Rahman in his broadcast declared defiantly: "We shall not die like cats and dogs, but shall die as worthy children of Bangla Ma (Mother Bengal)", adding, "The flag of Bangla Desh is flying in all villages of Bangla Desh."

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An announcer on the clandestine radio station, evidently located in the northern region of East Bengal, said: "The Sheikh has declared the 75 million people of East Pakistan as citizens of the sovereign independent Bangla Desh".

The broadcast called upon the people of free Bangla Desh to continue the current movement till the last enemy soldier was vanquished.

It said Mr. Rahman was the only leader of the people of independent Bangla Desh and his commands should be obeyed by all sections of people to save the country from the ruthless dictatorship of West Pakistanis.

Mr. Rahman in his broadcast asked the people to "resist the enemy forces at any cost in every corner of Bangla Desh.

May Allah bless you and help in your struggle for freedom from the enemy", he said.

Mr. Rahman said: "Pakistan armed forces suddenly attacked the East Pakistan Rifle base at Pielkhana and Rajabag police station in Dacca at zero hours on March 26, killing a number of unarmed people. Fierce fighting is going on with East Pakistan Rifles at Dacca.

"People are fighting gallantly with the enemy for the cause of freedom of Bangla Desh. Every section of the people of Bangla Desh are asked to resist the enemy forces at any cost in every corner of Bangla Desh. May Allah bless you and help in your struggle for freedom from the enemy. Jai Bangla."

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