Democratic movements including struggle of the working class and movement for the rights of nationalities were ruthlessly suppressed. Efforts for the framing of a democratic Constitution and forming a democratic Govt. were frustrated at very step. Martial law was imposed in 1958 under the leadership of General Ayub Khan to suppress democratic movement.
But inspite of the repression and atrocities of the Military regime, progressive. democratic and anti-autocratic forces gradually gained strength. Ayub Khan had to withdraw Martial law and later on as a result of the great mass upsurge in 1969 dictator Khan had to step down. However, General Yahya Khan took over power and imposed Martial Law for the Second time, though the self-styled President had to declare that the sole objective of his regime was peaceful transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people.
Elections were held to the National and Provincial Assembly in December 1970 and the overwhelming majority of the people voted in favor of the democratic forces defending the rights of the nationalities as well as the cause of the people. These forces gained absolute majority in the National Assembly entrusted with the task of framing the Constitution of the country and forming the Govt.
The Military Regime serving the interest of the imperialists, feudal lords and the monopolists could clearly see in elections result their inevitable downfall. President Yahya Khan, therefore, began to sidetrack the issue of transfer of power on various pretext and refused to convene the National Assembly inspite of the repeated demands of the people and their representatives.
As a result mass movement developed in East Bengal which was supported by democratic elements in West Pakistan also. President Yahya Khan, however, started a dialogue with the representatives of the people with the declared purpose of arriving at a peaceful settlement of the unresolved issues of the constitutional impasse. After a few rounds of talks it was officially declared by the President that there was progress in the talks. The peace loving people of Bangladesh and also other democratic forces heaved a sigh of relief at the possibility of a peaceful solution of the political deadlock and they were expecting an announcement in this regard from the President within a day or two. People were given to understand that the principles were already agreed upon and the necessary legal formalities were being worked out.
While the talks were still continuing, suddenly in the late hours of the 25th March, 1971 without announcing that the talks had failed or without giving any ultimatum, the army of Yahya's military junta pounced upon the People of Bangladesh and let loose a regin of terror and burtality unparallel in human history. On that Black Night of the 25th, thousands of innocent people of Bangladesh, who went to bed with high hopes of a peaceful settlement and a happy future, did not see the light of the dawn. Humanity has never known such naked and dirty betrayal even by the darkest forces of reaction.
The Armed Forces of Pakistan is systematically carrying on mass murders, arrests, looting, rape, arson, distinction of industrial and commercial establishments, towns.
