512 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ষষ্ঠ খণ্ড handedly. No liberation war has possessed such a remarkably well-educated cadre of guerillas fighting for the independence of a country. The Mukti Bahini is now equipped in all fields. It has recently trained its first batch of young officers and more are under training. The Mukti Bahini’s marine commandos have succeeded in crippling Pakistani shipping in Bangladesh. The urban guerillas have established an effective and permanent presence in Dacca and other major cities. Diplomatic and Propaganda War On the diplomatic front, the Bangladesh Government’s efforts have had no less spectacular results. This is perhaps the only movement in the world which has seen mass defections of diplomats switching their allegiance from an established Government to a Government engaged in a liberation war. 30 diplomats ranging from Ambassadors down to juniors in the diplomatic service have joined the new Government and 96 other ministerial staff has also switched their allegiance. This could only be possible because of the fantastic success achieved by Mukti Bahini in the field and the love, affection, loyalty and allegiance that the Government of Bangladesh enjoys from its 75 million people both inside the country and abroad. The propaganda machinery of the Bangladesh Government has also demonstrated its effectiveness mobilizing world opinion in favor of its cause. So far it has briefed about 250 foreign correspondents, Radio Television teams and international News Agencies. The Mission of the Government in Calcutta has played a most useful role maintaining this liaison with the outside world and also in looking after correspondents and more than 100 foreign visitors and dignitaries from all over the world. The various publications of the External Publicity Division have received wide appreciation for presenting the facts on Bangladesh abroad. Representatives have been sent to all parts of India and many other countries including those of the Middle East and south Asia to represent the Bangladesh case. The Press and Information Department with Bangladesh Radio as one of its principal organs, has achieved tremendous success in keeping the morale of the people consistently high. Finally a 16-member delegation was sent to lobby at the United Nations and succeeded in building solid international governmental support for the new state of Bangladesh. Administration The hard work of the Government of Bangladesh is also reflected in the efficient mobilization of the civil machinery which is being established and directed to strengthen the total effort of the Mukti Bahini. There is a Secretariat with all the necessary departments manned by young and efficient officers, technocrats and other volunteers coming from different professions who work with dedication for the cause of this liberation war. The administration in the liberated areas covers trade and industry, courts, post and telephone services, police stations, schools, customs, Excise and collection of taxes etc.
