বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (তৃতীয় খণ্ড)/১৭
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
|---|---|---|
| প্রধানমন্ত্রীর ১৮-দফা নির্দেশাবলী | দি স্টেটসম্যান, নয়াদিল্লী | ১৪মে, ১৯৭১ |
Text of Mr. Tajuddin's 18-point directive on May 14, 1971.
Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister of Bangladesh has issued 18-point directive outlining the tasks of the people in the liberation struggle.
He has said that the people should not listen to rumours nor should they have doubts about the “ultimate victory of the people”.
He says: “Let the people remember that in war marching forward and retreating are of equal importance. The retreat of the liberation army from one point should not give the people the impression that we have abandoned our war against the Pakistan occupation forces.”
In the struggle, people are not divided on the basis of parties, religion or classes. “We are united as Bengalis, and our enemies look at us that way. When they burn villages, shoot people or destroy towns, they attack us as Bengalis, not caring for our religion or politics.”
“No Bengali employee should co-operate with the enemy; employees of all ranks should act according to the directive of the Bangladesh Government. In areas occupied by the enemy, they should work under the guidance of the popular representative and use their discretion as circumstances demand.”
At Their Posts
Mr. Ahmad says: “Employees of Government and semi-Government organizations who have taken shelter elsewhere will be considered holding their posts and are expected to help the Bangladesh Government and the Mukti Fauj according to their capacity.”
Officers and men of the military and Para-military organizations, whether they are in service or retired, should immediately report for duty at the nearest liberation army unit and “should in no circumstances” allow themselves to be exploited by the enemy “nor should they co-operate with the enemy.”
The directive says “only the Bangladesh Government and none else has the right to collect taxes, revenues, and duties. It should be remembered that a Paisa collected by the enemy will be used to kill you and your children. So anybody who will pay taxes to the enemy or help them in the matter be considered by the Bangladesh Government as an enemy of the nation and will be punished accordingly.”
Employees in the communication and transport system “should not cooperative with the enemy. At the first opportunity, they should vacate along with their means of transport, the enemy-held areas”. Proper attention should be paid to the food and commodity needs of the people and in this matter the people should be encouraged to produce more. “The people should remember that dependence on imported food or articles will be suicidal. There should be greater emphasis on farm produce, reliance on “local available goods and production in cottage industry.”
Under Watch
The directive says that “in our national crisis, our number one enemies are those who are black marketers, profiteers, hoarders and thieves. They should be kept under watch and should be dealt with severely if necessary.”
It adds: We should also be ever cautions about another kind of antisocial ami criminal elements who are acting as traitors. They should be marked, because they are our bitterest enemy. In the name of religion and a united country they are trying to mislead the simple people. They are really the agents of the West Pakistan vested interests.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Government has declared that all members of the former National Assembly will henceforth be called members of Parliaments or MPs and those elected to the former Provincial Assembly will be known as MLA.s.
The Awami League, in a directive published in the Party’s weekly Jai Bangla, has directed all MPs and MLAs to stay in their respective areas and help the liberation struggle. “If it appears absolutely impossible for an elected representative to stick to his constituency, he should move to the nearest liberation army unit and supervise training and arrange supplies for liberation fighters”, the party directive says.
The MPs and MLAs who have gone on the other side of the border into India should immediately act according to the Party directive, the Awami League high command has ordered people who are young or middle-aged and, have taken shelter in India should immediately enlist themselves for military training.
“Those who have taken shelter in refugee camps on the other side of the border to save their lives should always keep it in mind that this is only a temporary arrangement. They have not gone to India for permanent settlement.”
PTI adds from Mujibnagar: Mr. A.H.M.Kamaruzzaman, Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, yesterday announced the setting up of a liaison office to ensure “proper distribution of all available resources.”