April 23, 1972

BANGABANDHU'S SURPRISE VISIT TO A VILLAGE

They can't believe their eyes. Are they dreaming, they wonder. None else but Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself is there right in their midst, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

It happened today at Kuria, a village eight miles north of Dhaka. It is eight in the evening. The villagers all of a sudden find the prime minister in their village on a surprise visit. When he left Gono Bhaban at 7:15pm none could guess where Bangabandhu was going.

At Kuria, the villagers are overwhelmed with joy, flock around him and narrate their sorrow and sufferings. They also describe to Bangabandhu how the Pakistan army, coming out not far from Kurmitola Cantonment, had lined up the able-bodied youths of the village and shot them dead. Bangabandhu is visibly moved listening to the villagers. He tells them that Bangladesh will again be Shonar Bangla if people devote their energy to the task of national reconstruction.

17,000 AWAMI LEAGUERS KILLED BY PAK ARMY

A preliminary survey conducted by the Bangladesh Awami League reveals that more than 17,000 workers and leaders of the party were killed by the Pakistan army during the nine months of Liberation War in Bangladesh.  In every town and village, the occupation army specifically looked for Awami League members. The Awami Leaguers, if found, were killed and if not found their homes were burnt and their relatives victimised.

NAP WILL BACK BANGABANDHU TO ACHIEVE SOCIALISM

Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, chief of the Bangladesh National Awami Party, today warns the big powers against any machinations against Bangladesh's independence. Addressing a public meeting at Circuit House Maidan in Khulna he says that the people who won Bangladesh at such a heavy price will not only defend its independence but will establish a society free from exploitation as well. He further says that his party will wholeheartedly support the government under the leadership of Bangabandhu for implementing socialism in the country and to eliminate exploitation.

50,000 TONNES OF CEMENT FROM INDIA FINALISED

Arrangements for the import of 50,000 tonnes of cement from India under Tk 25 crore commodity aid pledged by India to Bangladesh has been finalised. Shipment of the commodity will begin by the end of this month. There is a scarcity of cement all over the country and traders who stock cement are charging exorbitantly high prices. In this situation the construction work both in the public and private sectors have been greatly hampered.

SOURCES: April 24, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Ittefaq