বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড)/৫
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
|---|---|---|
| পূর্ব পাকিস্তানে সামরিক শাসনের প্রতিক্রিয়া জানিয়ে স্বরাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রী কর্তৃক পূর্ব পাকিস্তানের গভর্নরকে লেখা চিঠি | সরকারী | ২১ মে, ১৯৫৯ |
Karachi, (he 21st May, 1959.
My dear Mr. Zakir Hussain,
You might be interested to see the attached report regarding the situation in East Pakistan.
2. It seems to bring out the need to boost up the morale of the people generally and to counter hostile propaganda which, partially at least, is responsible for it. It also seems to bring out the immediate need for the Administration to establish effective contact with the people so that spontaneous enthusiasm is generated for the Armed Forces Day on the 7th of October.
3. While, I am sure, the above situation will receive your personal attention in dealing with it, may I suggest, you also consider the various small and easily remediable matters that affect the daily life of the common man and bring about immediate improvements in them. For instance, it should be possible to effect immediate improvements in municipal services, in the speedier disposal of the complaints of the public, and in the early redress of the grievances of the common man. Suitable publicity can then be given to the achievements in the above fields as also in the field of Village Aid and what is being achieved in the Province by the people through mutual cooperation and self-help.
4. I hope to see you in the near future
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
Sd./-K.M. SIEIKII
Lt.-Gen
Governor, East Pakistan
The morale of Government servants in East Pakistan is apparently pretty low. Senior officers, particularly those who have received notices have been, heard to express the view that the Martial Law has been interfering in civil administration and that the Martial Law should be withdrawn leaving the Civil services free. They resent particularly “interference" or suggestions by military officers on civil matters.
2.There is no sign of steady improvement in matters that affect the lives of the people daily. Municipal services have deteriorated. Contact between the administration and the people are ineffective. These may be due to lack of any organization to take note of the small and easily remediable factors that affect the morale of the people.
3. High officials express the view that without the assistance of political partics it was difficult to maintain the morale of people in a place like East Pakistan. Apparently politicians have been able to get this point of view across. Apart from this the argument is being put across that while in West Pakistan the Army can take over the civil administration and run it successfully it would not be able to do so in East Pakistan and that civil administration should, therefore, have greater freedom in East Pakistan. It is essential that the regime and the armed forces are brought closer to the people in East Pakistan and the people made to feel that the regime is doing all that is possible for them, particularly in view of the reported decision to observe 7th October as Armed Forces Day. If on that day sufficient enthusiasm is not spontaneously expressed by the people, it is bound to be interpreted as a silent vote of no confidence on the regime which will be fully exploited by subversive elements and by hostile foreign press.
4. In creating the present mood and temper in East Pakistan, hostile forces are certainly at work. The political parties have been banned but their working has not stopped in practice. Political leaders talk in private meetings and discuss political problems. The subversive forces are spreading hostile views and propaganda in their usual way. Incidentally, the article that was written by Marshall in the “Foreign Affairs" was, it is said, circulated from hand to hand to foster opinion against the new retiree. All this is happening because there is little activity to foster opinion in favor of the regime and to counter hostile propaganda. Countering hostile propaganda cannot be effective unless they are based on concrete evidence of day-to-day improvements, however small, in the affairs of the people.
5. In the town of Barisal there is a Hall (a tin-shed) called Aswini Kumar Hall. Aswini Kumar was a great social worker of this district and exercised great influence in moral regeneration of the society about 60 or 70 years ago. He was held in esteem not as a Ilindu but as a great social leader. The present District Magistrate thought it fit to rename the Hall as Ayub Hall. One local Hindu is reported to have told the District Magistrate that it was a wrong thing to do and suggested to the D M. to do something else than rename an old institution if he was really keen to have the President s name associated with any public institution and offered to work and raise funds for such a new institution. It is stated that the District Magistrate got angry with the gentleman and with the support of allegedly concocted police reports of subversive activities arrested him under the Safety Act. Complaints were allegedly made right up to the Provincial Government but the gentleman is still languishing in security detention. If what is alleged is true the D.M. has not the necessary outlook to hold charge of a district. It is indeed a pity that when matters like this were reportedly brought to the notice of the Provincial Government the administration failed to take the necessary remedial steps.
6. Complaints were heard about the keenness of V.I.P.s for personal publicity. Personal publicity unless strictly controlled can have very damaging effect on the reputation of the regime as such. Our Ministers were alleged to be paying frequent visits to their home towns, which was furnishing materials for hostile propaganda.
7. As against this rather distressing background there is considerable enthusiasm amongst the younger elements (not of the pro-communist groups but definitely pro-Pakistan and rightist group) to be able to do something for building up of the nation. No effort has been made to harness this enthusiasm. Unless this is done quickly, these elements will feel discouraged and the enthusiasm itself may die down in the absence of a suitable outlet.