Another declaration or Major Zia 1971...

Bui from date of 31st March, the independent Bangla Betar (Shadhin Bangla Beter Kendr) all along remained silent. But on 31.3.1971 we heard another declaration of Maj. Zia. The of the declaration is as under:

Declaration

Punjabis have used 3rd commando Battalion in Chittagang City Area lo subdue the Valiant freedom fighters of Sadhin Bangla. But they have been thrown back and many of them have been killed.

Punjabis have been extensively using F-80 Aircrafts to kill the Civilian strongholds and vital points, they are killing the civilians, men, women and children brutally. So far at least two thousands of Bengali civilians have been killed in Chittagong area alone.

The Sadhin Bangla Liberation Army is pushing the punjabi Army from one place to the other.At present the punjabis have utilized al least two Brigades of Army, Navy and Air Force. It is in fact of combined operation.

I once again request tbe United Nations and the Big powers to intervene and physically come to our aid. Delay will mean massacre of additional millions. SD/=Ziaur RahmanI tried to connect the foreign radio center. At night I got connection of All India Radio. I heard that in the proposal moved in the Parliament. Sreemati Indira Gandhi blamed for barbarous aggression of West Pakistani soldiers in Bangladesh and invited the people and the governments of all the countries of the world to create pressure for resisting Pakistani armed forces from mass killing. Unanimously accepted the proposal was as follows:

The Parliament expresses profound grief and deep concern about the recent events happening in East Bengal. The armed forces led from West Pakistan jumped upon the people of Ease Bengal to ruthlessly suppress the claims, hopes and aspiration of the latter by a massive aggression.

Instead of giving honour to the will of the people published undoubtedly in the general election held in Pakistan in 1970, the Pakistani Government decided to disobey the mandate of the people.

Pakistani Government not only refused to transfer the power to the peoples' representatives, but also prevented the National Parliament to perform the legitimate and sovereign I role without any legal basis. Adopting the naked power of armed forces, they used bayonet, machinegun, tank, cannon and fighter plane targeting the people of East Bengal.

The Government of India and Indian People always have tried to establish a peaceful, normal and friendly relationship will Pakistan and with this end in view have been working. Since the history, culture and hierarchal reciprocal ties of the people of this Sub-continent is very old, this assembly cannot sit idle at the terrific and awful tragic events happening near the border. The general people throughout the country expressed their undoubted resentment and hatred towards the unprecedented barbaric attitudes towards the innocent and armless people.The historical national awakening of seven and a half crore people of East Bengal will at last achieve success - this meeting records firm confidence in success on that matter. This meeting further ensures them to that effect that their struggle and dedication will always gain heartfelt sympathy and people of India."This decision of Indira Gandhi spread like electricity all around. We all got encouragement by heart and the news helped us greatly to erase our helplessness to a great extent. We got strength with this thinking that the great neighbour was with us.

I remembered about my tour in Agartala on 27" March. The Congress Secretary told that day that it was not possible on their part to supply arms without permission of Indian Government. We realized from this news of All India Radio that all out assistance of Indian Government was imminent. The liberation struggle of Bengali nation with Pakistan would continue and Insha Allah we would be successful.

Gradually the days were passing. A news reached Akhaura in the night of 12" April. The news was very important. Thai night a secret meeting was held with the top leaders of Awami League in Agartala circuit house. Though 1 could not get the decision of that meeting, but 1 was excited with joy with the holding of such meeting. Of course we tame to learn afterwards that the revolutionary Government was formed. Since Agartala was the border town, the tight secrecy was maintained about the meeting for the sake of security.

Possession of EPR Camp at Akhaura.
Agartala is the capital of Tippera State of India. Its frontier area is Akhaura. An important junction of East Pakistan Railway. Akhaura. Being adjacent to Tippera. is also heaven for the smugglers. There is a camp office of EPR ac Akhaura frontier. They controlled this region from here. Prior to beginning of battle, non-Bengali members of EPR took possession of the regional office at Akhaura. There were storage of huge arms and ammunition to defend the borders. Till then Akhaura was free and the borders were in control of the freedom fighters.We planned to free EPR camp. Therefore we formed a combined force comprising our Bengali members of EPR, Asnsar and Bengal Regiment. The local students and people were also linked with that force.

To avoid bloodshed, first we decided to invite the members of the EPR of the camp to surrender. Accordingly we sent a bold Bengali EPR Habilder with while flag at hand proposal for surrender. After one hour he returned and informed us that they would not surrender. Getting no alternative we prepared ourselves for attack. The EPR camp looked like an island. About in all sides around the camp there were low lands with water, canals and beels. There were an old building and some big tin go-downs. In the British period there were shed office of British jute company and jute godowns. From this side a branch of Titas river is flowing. By this naval route British and local merchants used to deal in jute business. During rainy season big size boats came and seaplane float on the river, which 1 saw many times in my childhood. But there was no such youthful charm of Akhaura now.

The seaplane of the company did not come and touch this branch river. As if the river also lost her youthfulness and became lean and thin. Akhaura was then somehow a small river port. Many godowns and office were established centering jute businesses. Two or three signs are still standing as evidence of that time.

Rolling afternoon the sun was selling in the west. We were gathering ourselves slowly from the three sides of the island with arms and ammunition. After crossing evening, the night became deeper, and before midnight we began attack upon the camp possessed by non-Bengali members of East Pakistan Rifles. The attack was started from three sides. The other side was entirely beel and vast crop field. Our heavy arms began to roar, Reply was also coming in double.

In the midst of heavy firing that time the crowd began to make slogans "Joy Bangla" from all sides. As if such sky touching lofty sounds trembled the shy and winds. The sound of Joy Bangla of 1971 was dear to al! women, men and children. Facing the bayonets and Rifles the brave Bengalese sacrificed their lives smilingly uttering Joy Bangla In India during anti-British movement, the slogan "Bandc Malaram" was the only successful in creating such reaction.That day we began to advance with the slogan "Joy Bangla" and whatever we had. Some body had Kulch, spears and somebody had bamboo stick. 1 also entered into the battle with one 303 rifle- We had not sufficient arms and ammunition. On the other hand the enemy had sufficient ammunitions and as a result they began to fire within some intervals. And sounds of Joy Bangla of the general people were coming from all sides.

Before the advent of dawn the sounds of firing were stopped from the enemy sides. Carefully we went to the camp from three sides. By the blow of bullets the enemies retreated and fled away. Before retreating they blew up the go-downs of arms and ammunition. By capturing the camp we did not get any living body except some left out dead bodies of non-Bengali members of East Pakistan Rifles and destroyed arms. The wall of the go-down and its inner condition became disarrayed. But the Pakistani members of EPR fled away through open path by swimming the take. We captured the camp and hoisted the flag Of Independent Bangladesh. Later on we came to know that at the time of retreating the living soldiers of EPR killed some alive villagers in the streets by anger and excitement.