The Awami League. Sheikh Mujib directed that they should liaise with me and that the three who had been entrusted with the task to preparing directives should meet daily with the civil servants. This became the nucleus of the administration which was to run affairs in the Eastern wing of the coming weeks.
On March 6, a meeting was called of the Working Committee members of the party at the residence of Sheikh Mujib to consider the position to be adopted at the public meeting on March 7. There were expectations inside the country that a declaration of Independence would be made on March 7. Indeed, the students and the younger elements strongly favored such a declaration. In fact by March 7, there was liule doubt among party members that Independence alone could be an acceptable to students, the younger elements and indeed large sections of politically conscious people. But the burden of responsibility still lay with Sheikh Mujib and the party in this matter. The full implications of making a declaration of Independence on March 7 had to be carefully weighed.
Unilateral Declaration of Independence would mean directly engaging the full force of the military. They would not only have found the pretext for using force but would hit out with everything they had in order to impose their will by force. Could an unarmed population absorb the shock of such an onslaught and emerge victorious? What would be the reaction of the outside world? Would Governments come forward to recognize independent Bangladesh? Would an independent Bangladesh Governments be able to hold out for long enough in the face of an organized military onslaught to obtain such recognition? Apart from that, given the different global and regional interests of the powers, would they accord recognition and accept the emergence of an independent Bangladesh? These were among the many questions to which anxious consideration was given. In the meeting Sheikh Mujib heard different opinions which were expressed by different members and reserved judgment. The whole range of views was expressed, while the meeting was in progress. Yahya came on the air and broadcast a statement. It was a particularly provocative statement and highly offensive to Bengali sentiment. It blamed Sheikh Mujib and the Awami League for the prevailing situation. There was a menacing undertone from the statement.
While realizing that an application of adequate force can effectively bring the situation under control, I have deliberately ordered the authorities in East Pakistan to use the absolute minimum force required to stop the law breakers from loot arson and murder....
“Finally let me make it absolutely clear that no matter what happens, as long as I am in command of the Pakistani Army faces, I will ensure complete and absolute integrity of Pakistan. Let there be no doubt or mistake on this point. I have a duty towards millions of people of East and West Pakistan to preserve this country. They expect this from me and I shall not fail them. I will not allow a handful of people destroy the homeland of millions of innocent Pakistanis. It is the duty of the Pakistan army forces to ensure this integrity, solidarity and security of Pakistan, a duty in which they have never failed.
