পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৯৭৪

Տ8br বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড The House will, I am sure, wish me to convey its deepest sympathies to the next of kin of the gallant officers and men who have lost their lives in defending our motherland. The House will also wish to join me in expressing our gratitude to the Defence Services for their magnificent performance in ensuring that the major part of fighting takes place on the enemy soil that he is kept at a safe distance for our western borders and that a very substantial damage is inflicted in the process on his forces and sophisticated equipment. A special word of praise is due to the Mukti Bahini of the government of Bangladesh their regular force are fighting shoulder to shoulder with our Army The dedication keenness energy and initiative of freedom fighters have been largely responsible or creating condition which have compelled the occupying forces to vacate the areas occupied by them. It is our hope that through the joint operation of Bangladesh and the Indian Forces the process of liberating Bangladesh will soon be completed. MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The House stands adjourned to meet again tomorrow at 10 A.M. STATEMENT RE: UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF WEST PAKISTASN FORCES IN BANGLADESH THE PRIME MINISTER, MINISTER OF ATOMIC ENERGY, MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS, MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRIMATI INDIRA GANDHI): Mr. Speaker, if I have an announcement to make, which I think the House has been waiting for some time. The West Pakistan forces have unconditionally surrendered in Bangladesh. The instrument on behalf of the Pakistan Eastern Command, Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora GOC-in C of the Indian and Bangladesh forces in the Eastern Theatre accepted the surrender, Dacca is now the free capital of a free country. This House and the entire nation rejoice to the historic event, we hail the people of Bangladesh in their hour of triumph. We hail the brave young men and boys of the Mukti Bahini for their valour and dedication. We are proud of our own Army, Navy, Air Force and the Border Security Force, who have so magnificently demonstrated their quality and capacity. Their discipline and devotion to duty are well known. India will remember with gratitude the sacrifices of those who have laid down their lives and our thoughts are with their families. Our Armed Forces are under strict orders to treat Pakistani prisoners of war in accordance with the Geneva Convention and to deal with all sections of the population of Bangladesh in a humane manner. The Commanders of the Mukti Bahini have issued similar orders to their forces. Although the Government of Bangladesh have not yet been given an opportunity to sign the Geneva Convention, they also have declare that they will fully abide by it. It will be the responsibility of the Government of Bangladesh, the Mukti Bahini and the India Armed forces to prevent any reprisals. Our objectives were limited-to assist the gallant people of Bangladesh and their Mukti Bahini to liberate their country from a reign of terror and to resist aggression on