207 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিল : চতুর্থ খন্ড শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ বাংলাদেশকে সমর্থন দানের আহবান ংলাদেশ সলিডারিটি ক্যাম্পেন ՏծԳՏ সম্বলিত একটি পুস্তিকা SOLIDARITY WITH BANGLADESH LIBERATION STRUGGLES A CALL FOR SUPPORT. We call on the British people-and especially the workers-to support the workers and peasants of Bangladesh at present fighting for the irrational liberation, for freedom from exploitation and for a socialist society. WHO ARE THE PEOPLE OF BANGLADESH? WHY DO THEY DESERVE SUPPORT2 These are very natural questions. British Press and Television have conspired to confuse the issues. They gave full coverage to news of the atrocities and of the refugees. But they have given no real explanation of the events leading to these tragedies, or to the causes of the crisis. A detailed account of the economic and political situation in Pakistan since 1947 is needed. Here are a few of the main facts only. THE TREACHERY OF THE WEST PAKISTAN RULING CLIQUE. At midnight on Thursday 25 March, in Dacca, capital of East Pakistan, an act of treachery occurred which is unparalleled in contemporary history. Without issuing any warning or ultimatum, soldiers of the West Pakistan army, acting on orders, Suddenly attacked the sleeping and unsuspecting civilian population with machine guns, artillery and tanks. They set Fire to their houses, and shot them down as they ran into the streets to escape the flames. That night some 50,000 died-most were women and children. During the succeeding days the intentions of the West Pakistan assassins became clear. A carefully planned, absolutely ruthless policy of genocide was being followed. By indiscriminate mass killings they sought to cow the masses. By the selective destruction of administrators, politicians, intellectuals, technicians, students and professors they hoped to destroy the potential leaders of the resistance. They have failed in both these aims: but no-one knows how many have died so far. (The number is in the region of 1 million) FAKE NEGOTIATIONS IN DACCA' | | From 16th March talks had been continuing between Yahya Khan, acting President of Pakistan, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, leader of the East Pakistan Awami League. Mujibur had, the full backing of the East Pakistan population, expressed in the elections and also in the peaceful noncooperation movement from 10th to 25th March. The entire administration was involved, including judges, police and civil servants. On the 2nd and 3rd March the West Pakistan army had fired on peaceful demonstrators, killing more than one thousand. But Yahya Khan had expressed his regret and his desire for a peaceful settlement of the constitutional issues. Mujibur
