BBC London 1971
"The most trusted & dependent media in 1971 was BBC- British Broadcasting Corporation. Then an emotional relationship should be present in the BBC Bangla department. But this is a World Service? Have the world heard? Some of the news have translated and presented in this page. Telecasting news at the start of revolution
by World Service was continuing & you will understand after reading this publications. But BBC World Service did not take time to telecast news that a dependent country would create soon. So, how was Bangladesh in 1971, way of Liberation War & real pictures of its history have broadcasted in the BBC news. The first news was telecast on 26th March 1971 & the last on 16th December 1971."
26th March, 1971 (The Independent Day)
In the news from Pakistan we knew, President Yahya Khan has taken preparation of huge fight to make government rule in East Pakistan. And in the news from India we knew, Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has declared independent of Bangladesh. US Consular General has informed heavy instruments have used to destroy the movement. In the report from India before this, from a secret radio station in East
Pakistan has broadcasted the news of heavy fight allover the province. East Bengal soldier unit has started fight jointly with Police and general citizens against West Pakistani soldier units. No news directly from East Pakistan. President Yahya Khan has given work-plan after declaring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a conspirator of the state and banded Awami League, who won the largest number of seats in the Parliament Election. Awami League has taken control of East Pakistan in one sense. President Yahya Khan banded all political work and censored in all the new broadcasting.
1st April, 1971
Recently reports of journalists from new papers we knew that army have controlled the main cities along with Dhaka the capital of East Pakistan. The reporters also have informed that in the some parts of Dhaka a large number of general people (specially the followers of East Pakistan leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) have killed. The Punjabi soldiers of West Pakistan were
responsible for the killing of students & employees of Dhaka University. A big part of the city has destroyed, still the fire was lightening. Some reports have shown the fighting was continuing outside of the city. A reporter from United Press International - an US news agency has informed that he reached in a city (Jessore) of East Pakistan near by Indian border. He has shown the dead bodies of women & children. He knew that Pakistani army have killed them by bayonet before left the city. Pakistan claimed that the Indian army have crossed the border and entered in East Pakistan, but spokesman of Indian government refused.
4th April, 1971
Neutral reports were not founding regarding Pakistan situation. Armed force authority from Dhaka declared that all activities have taken to make a normal situation. In the declaration they have informed that the people not to hear the false news. Also declared that curfew has reduce from Monday. In the mean time, the news from "Akashbani", Armed force authority have attacked Chittagong & other five cities with "Napam".
9th April, 1971
Radio Pakistan informed, they have controlled Chittagong port from the anti-state people. The news from radio, most of them have surrendered to the Army. Most of shops & marker are now open and the people are returning their home. From the news of Army Authority Radio Pakistan have broadcasted that one more military rule imposed and by this rule Authority may reduced the movement of any person who's work seems to be abnormal and not in favor of the peace of people.
From the news of "Akashbani", Pakistan Air force have attacked to controlled the northern city Rajshahi from the past two days. But their plan did not fruitful. Pakistan said this is a great false news and not relation with the true situation.
17th April, 1971
One group of East Pakistan have established Independent Bangladesh (at their language) & Syed Nuzrul Islam is the acting President. Syed Nazrul Islam has read the declaration paper regarding structure of the new government under a mango garden at a village (Boidyanathtala) in East Pakistan & in front of five thousand people. He said, "His government has requested to help the Bangladeshi people to all of the countries in this world." He have formed a ministry by appointing Tajuddin Ahmed as a Prime Minister and K M Ahmed as a Foreign Minister. A group of Indian reporters visited Bangladesh to join in that program.
10th June, 1971
Governor of East Pakistan and Administrator of Marshall Law Tikka Khan requested the refugees to come back home who have taken place in India. He said, "They can live same as like other citizens of the country." In the name of Governor Radio Pakistan has
informed that they will welcome the students, business men, government employees, army persons & the members of law enforcement authority along with the political leaders who will return in their won country. General Tikka Khan said that refugee camp have established in the border. Enough food, shelter, medical treatment & transportation have arranged. He said, "Situation of East Pakistan is normal. Refugees have left the country for the false & fake news and they are suffering for deprivation & diseases BBC Commonwealth news reporter informed "Foreign investigators do not trust the speech of General Tikka Khan." Our reporters said, "General Tikka Khan has given speech from the reaction of lots of people have left East Pakistan and Pakistan lost it's face as per the view of investigator."
20th June, 1971
Restriction to the foreign news reporters raised that Pakistan has imposed who are interested to visit East Pakistan at their won cost. In one government declaration they informed that reporters can visit East Pakistan without any permission and not
necessary to take any guide in the time of visit, as the situation has now fully controlled. This restriction has imposed from the last March when the fight was start. This is not clear that this restriction has raised also applicable for the photographers. A group of four member will visit some countries to explain the position of Pakistan and to inform the 'advertisement for the enmity' as their language. Indian authority has taken steps to move the refugees to other places. The pilots have informed, air service may stopped for the security due to the refugees.
24th September, 1971 A government spokesman from East Pakistan informed, a ship destroyed by a mine blast. This ship maid by United States. He claimed Indian people who illegally entered in east Pakistan for the mine blast in the valley of "Ganga". The ship was going to east Pakistan by carrying foods and crops. In the mean time another ship has damaged by mine blasting and independent revolutionaries claimed this.
17th November, 1971
Curfew for a uncertain time has continuing in the East Pakistan capital Dhaka. Radio news in the early morning, people will stay at home until next information of curfew. Searching continuing in the each & every house. Declaration have given to keep arms, explosives outside of the house that are without license. Movement of all types of vehicle stopped except ambulance, vehicle of electric board & Pakistan International Airline. Control of all six Police Stations have taken by the Brigadiers.
Gerilla attack occurred in Dhaka City & areas nearby Dhaka City. Some were die & some were wounded by the explosives & fires. Problem created in the electric service. Lots of schools have damaged by the attack.
23rd November, 1971
Emergency Law declared in East & West Pakistan. President Yahya Khan has declared emergency law due to overcome from the tough situation have created by the enemy from outside. For the same reason internal airlines have stopped in East Pakistan. Pakistan said, Jessore Airport have faced firing from Indian Army. Pakistan assume, Indian Army has fired from their Border area
by the help of the Heavy Armed Soldiers. But India refused this claim of army attack and informed, Pakistan assuming the Bangali Gerila as Indian soldier. Akshbani says, garila soldires have entered in the Sylhet district, heavy fighting was running in Jessore & Rongpur area. Radio Pakistan informed, heavy conflict is running in Jessore, Chittagong & Sylhet area. But they have protected the attack and they have lost a huge.
2nd December, 1971
BBC news reporters have informed form Dhaka, forces & boundaries are increasing for Gerilla attack. He also said, Pakistani army believe, 2000 gerillas are active only in the city of Dhaka. He said, firing of small weapons have heard & lightening of fire have seen from the last occurrence. A huge number of people admitted in the hospitals after wounded by bullet. There were three army persons in the wounded people. From the reports of police we knew, a patrol pump has burned in the center of the Dhaka city.
3rd December, 1971
India & Pakistan both have informed, the war is running in the border of east Pakistan. In a radio message governor Dr. Abdul Malick from east Pakistan has informed all to stay carefully as Pakistan is facing a destructive war. A reporter has informed BBC, a huge war has running in all over the eastern sector's border area Samsher Nagar, Dinajpur, Jessore, Rangpur, Khulna and also
along with Mymensingh. Our reporters have informing, Pakistan have claimed, they protested Indian attack & a big loss of Indian people and assets. In the news of "Akashbani", Indian army have taken defensive action when Pakistani army started bombing in Agartala, the capital of Tripura from last Wednesday. In the news, gerillas have captured Thakurgaon city & airport and Samsher Nagar airport in the south-east part of Sylhet. But an army spokesman from Rawalpindi has informed, airport is now under control of Pakistani army, although Indian army have captured some places in Thakurgaon.
12th December 1971
India informed, Indian Paratrooper executed in around of capital Dhaka of East Pakistan, soldiers are coming towards Dhaka from all sides. Major General Jacob an Indian Eastern Area Commander informed, Air Force attack have success yesterday. He can not say more than this. But Indian Commander said, his soldiers have crossed the "Meghna" river and now reached within 20 miles (32 km) of Dhaka city. But they have faced lot of conflict. Indian solders informed, all the rivers & branches of rivers are now in their control in Comilla & Gerilla unit of Freedom Fighter are more active in Dhaka. Fight continuing in the city.
13th December 1971
India soldiers are quickly moving towards barricaded Capital Dhaka of East Pakistan. Head of Pakistan East Area (General Niaji) said, his soldiers will continue fight till the last person alive. He refused another message from Indian Head of Soldiers Sam Manik Sha for surrender. The Indian said,
two convoy of explosive with guard of paratroopers moving towards Dhaka from north-west Tangail and north-east Norshingdi. Some advanced units are now with in the 10 miles (16 km) of Joydebpur soldier camp. Different reporters from different news papers informed, Indian soldiers have reached in Demra Ghat that is 9 km distance from Dhaka. India said, fight still running in "Dowlatpur Camp" near Khulna and Indian soldiers faced to fight one's way in southern port "Chalna".
15th December 1971
India said, they are firing with heavy weapon in the Capital Dhaka of East Pakistan. Indian soldiers and Gerillas are attacking jointly to breakdown their mind satisfaction. From a reports of all reporters we knew, discussion is running between Red Cross & Pakistan Commander in chief to stop the war, but no solution have seen. In the reports shown, Air Force attacks have increased in Dhaka & it's nearby areas, specially in the Niaji's Head Quarter and army camps are the main target of this attack.
16th December 1971 (The Victory Day)
War coming toward end. Radio Pakistan said, war have stopped and Indian soldiers entered in Dhaka. Pakistan said, Indians & Pakistani commanders have agreed to stop the war in some agreements. Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said in the parliament, two parties have signed in the papers
to stop the war in some agreement. For the Pakistan this agreement is surrender without any agreement. She says, India hope, leader of East Pakistan - Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is in a jail of Pakistan, will return back in the people of his country and will stapes forward Bangladesh in the way of peace. Mrs Gandhi says, Indian soldiers will not stay in Pakistan for additional time sill their requirement. She also add, millions of refugees are going back to their country in this time.
