BANGABANDHU VISITS NATORE
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today reiterates that elections set for March 7 would be absolutely free and fair. Pointing out that Bangladesh is a democratic country, he says there would be no interference in the elections. Addressing a public meeting at Natore, the prime minister says he would like to warn those who want to create disorder and foil elections. They would not gain anything by showing arms. The people of Bangladesh are capable of snatching those arms, he adds.
Bangabandhu regrets that some greedy elements are indulged in corruption even with regard to relief materials. He gives a fervent call for mass resistance against corruption and crimes.
MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today reiterates his government s intention to reduce the huge discrepancies in salaries of various grades of government officials. The existing administrative system, which the prime minister considers the legacy of the capitalistic and colonial set-up, would soon undergo a drastic metamorphosis, declares Bangabandhu. He expects the Pay Commission and the Service Reorganisation Committee to submit their reports within the next two months.
Inaugurating the first national conference of Bangladesh Gonokarmachari Sanjukta Parishad (BGSP) at the Engineering Institute today, the prime minister exhorts all grades of government officials to maintain discipline and official decorum. Without discipline, he observes, no nation can develop and march towards progress. He assures that the present transport system in the metropolis would be improved to facilitate the mobility of the low-income group of government officials so t
NO ALL-PARTY GOVERNMENT
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today rejects the opposition s suggestion of an all-party government before the polls to ensure free and fair elections. He refuses to grant the status of a political party to the opponents of the present government. He makes his point saying the parties who are now clamouring for an all-party government had the security money of their candidates forfeited in the last elections.
Addressing Bangladesh Chhatra League students at Ramna Green today, Bangabandhu says there is no logical reason for the resignation of his government before the polls. He advises his political opponents to go to the polls and take the mandate from the people to administer the country. He says he would be too glad to be relieved of his onerous responsibilities if the people return the opposition to power.
BANGABANDHU VISITS PIROJPUR
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today says some have realised that people would not vote for them and they are trying to create disruption to foil the elections. Addressing a mammoth gathering at Pirojpur, Bangabandhu says the people would go to polls again. He adds that he could have stayed in power for five years; instead of that he is going to the people for their mandate. If he is not given the mandate he would go, reiterates the prime minister.
Explaining why he accepted prime ministership on his return from Pakistan, Bangabandhu says people call him Father of the Nation, prime ministership is nothing to him. I was compelled to accept the prime ministership so that help could come from all over the world, he adds. He points out that 97 countries of the world have already recognised Bangladesh.
VIETNAM DAY CLASH
Two students are killed and seven others are injured when the police on duty open fire upon a procession of students organised by DUCSU and Bangladesh Chhatra Union in observance of Vietnam Day today.
The incident takes place in front of the American Centre at noon. The students killed in the police firing are Motiul Islam, 21, a final-year BA student in Philosophy, Dhaka University and Mirza Quadirul Islam, a second-year HSC student of Dhaka College.
A hartal is called from 5:00am to 2:00pm on January 2, 1973 in protest of the incident.
BANGABANDHU DEEPLY GRIEVED
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman issues the following statement today in response to the incident of police firing in front of the American Centre: I am deeply grieved by the unfortunate incident today which resulted in the loss of our two boys and caused injury to some. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the bereaved families and to the injured persons. A judicial inquiry has alread