No dialogue before recognition

May 11, 1972

BANGABANDHU'S RANGPUR SPEECH

On the last day of the four-day tour of North Bengal, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today visits Rangpur. Addressing a large crowd at the Collectorate Maidan he reiterates his firm stance against any sort of dialogue with Pakistan before the country recognises Bangladesh. It doesn't matter whether Pakistan recognises us or not, he adds.

The prime minister regrets that Pakistani President ZA Bhutto is trying to pressurise Bangladesh to agree to the outrageous formula of exchanging Pakistani war criminals with four lakh Bangalees stranded in Pakistan. He wonders, "How can one equate an innocent person with a war criminal? Bangalees didn't commit any crime in Pakistan but the members of the Pakistan army committed crimes against humanity."

He further says that Pakistan had to free Mujib and they will have to free all stranded Bangalees.

Bangabandhu advises Bhutto not to waste his efforts to save war criminals. "They will be tried for the brutality they committed in Bangladesh during the war," says the prime minister.

Referring to the national reconstruction efforts, Bangabandhu says that the rule of peasants and workers has been established in Bangladesh. The seven crore people are now the owners of all the resources of the country. Expressing his deep commitment to democracy, the prime minister says that his government is ready to hold elections anytime. He asks the critics of the government to contest election and prove the validity of their position. 

Bangabandhu appeals to the people to put extra effort to increase production in agricultural and industrial units. He asks government officials to work extra hours. He urges cooperation from all to build an exploitation-free society. The prime minister also encourages people to adopt family planning methods to lessen the burden on the country.

FOOD CRISIS IN DINAJPUR AND SATKHIRA

Food crisis has taken an acute turn in several areas of Dinajpur and Satkhira. There is serious shortage of food supply in these areas; whatever is available is beyond the means of the common people. There are also allegations of corruption against the ongoing relief distribution activities in these areas. 

1,000 TRUCKS AND 700 BUSES WILL BE IMPORTED SOON

Communication Minister Mansur Ali informs today that 1,000 trucks and 700 buses will be imported on an emergency basis to revive transport facilities in the country. These transports will be handed over to private entrepreneurs, he adds. The minister further informs that 84 buses will hit the roads of the capital within a week, and that will significantly reduce the existing transport crisis.

SOURCE: May 12, 1972 issue of Dainik Bangla.