পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (পঞ্চদশ খণ্ড).pdf/২০৭

এই পাতাটির মুদ্রণ সংশোধন করা হয়েছে, কিন্তু বৈধকরণ করা হয়নি।
বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ পঞ্চদশ খণ্ড
১৮২

 Translated into less pompous language, the message was that Yahya believed that there was a military solution possible of the situation, and that he regarded himself as possessing both the authority and the capability to adopt any measure and to resort to any degree of force he considered necessary for the purpose of “protecting the integrity of Pakistan."

 The treat contained in this message was clear. On the conclusion of this broadcast Sheikh Mujib directed that the meeting of the working committee members may be adjourned till late that evening and that in the meantime, he would decide on the line to be adopted the following day.

 The burden of a decision rested squarely upon him. Sheikh Mujib asked the senior party leaders, M/s Tajuddin Ahmed, Syed, Nazrul Islam, Khondaker Mushtaq Ahmed, Capt. Mansoor Ali. A H M, Kamruzzaman, for consultations. I was also called to join them. The implications of making an explicit declaration of Independence were carefully weighed. The fact that such a declaration would provide the army the opportunity they were seeking for a military onslaught was clearly perceived. It was decided that such an opportunity should be denied to them. At the same time, the momentum of the movement must be maintained and pressure should be kept on Yahya to proceed to transfer power to the elected representatives of the people. It was calculated that if the tempo of the movement could be sustained and the unity of the people consolidated then it would become evident to Yahya and the military junta that use of military force could not result in their gaining any objective. It was therefore decided that the position to be taken should not be an explicit declaration of independence. In order to exert pressure on Yahya specific demands would be made, and the movement would be sustained in support of these demands, with 'Independence “as its ultimate goal. These demands would include withdrawal of army to the barracks, stopping further movement of troops from West to the Eastern wing and an enquiry into the killings. Sheikh Mujib directed that the two major demands should be highlighted, namely the immediate withdrawal of martial Law and immediate transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people.

 I was asked to prepare the draft of a formal statement embodying this position, which would be released to the press after the public meeting of March 7. In view of the importance of the pronouncement it was decided that a written text should be kept ready to be released to the Press after Sheikh Mujib delivered his speech on March 7. A draft text was prepared by the same evening. The draft presented had included the point about termination of Martial Law and transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people and the last paragraph was as follows:

 The objective of the present phase of the struggle is the immediate termination of Martial Law and the transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people. Till this objective is attained, our non-violent Non-Cooperation Movement must continue.

 Sheikh Mujib directed that the text should be kept under the charge of Tajuddin and should be personally issued by him after making any amendments as may be necessary in the light of the speech as actually delivered.