CONSTITUTION HAS TO BE BASED ON SIX-POINTS
Warning Against Manoeuvres to Create Economic Crisis
The Awami League Chief, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in a
statement issued here this evening said:
" I am overwhelmed by a deep sense of gratitude
to Almighty Allah and to my beloved countrymen-the students, workers and
peasants-for the unprecedented victory of the Awami League, both in the
National and Provincial elections. I warmly thank the people for having given a
historic verdict in favour of our six-point programme. We pledge to implement
this verdict. There can be no constitution except one which is based on the
six-point programme".
" I view with grave concern the spiralling rise
in price of the daily necessities of life, such as rice, edible oil and other
essential commodities. This seems to be part of a last, desparate bid by the
vested interests to create economic chaos and thus to sabotage the peaceful
transfer of power to the people. Let them be warned that the people will not
spare those responsible for these criminal misdeeds. Indeed the economic
system, which allows such exploitation, will have to be replaced by one which
caters to the needs of our toiling masses".
" I am equally concerned by the grave threat of
famine, which faces us as a result of wide-spread destruction of crops by
floods and cyclones. I urge the Government to make immediate arrangements for
sufficient stocks and distribution of foodgrains, and to inform the people of
the action that is being taken in this regard."
Sheikh Mujib said: " I urge that the entire
foreign exchange and other resources which have been sent for relief to the
survivors of the cyclone-ravaged areas in Bangla Desh should immediately be
placed under the exclusive control of the Provincial Governments. The exchange
remittances received for such purpose should be given the benefit of the bonus
rate. All foreign exchanges received must be earmarked exclusively for
utilisation in the cyclone-ravaged areas of Bangla Desh".
" Since there are still persistent reports of
bottle-necks in relief operation, being created by Central Government
bureaucrats, I urge that a white paper be published immediately setting out in
detail an account of all the foreign exchange and other resources received so
far for relief and their utilisation. I would urge the President to direct that
this should be done immediately in order to remove serious misgivings which
have-arisen about this matter".
"We appreciate that the President has granted
an amnesty releasing persons who had been convicted under MLRs of offences
arising out of their political activities. We have always been demanding such
an amnesty as also the release of all political prisoners including persons who
have been convicted in cases arising out of their political activities. We
would urge that the amnesty be implemented in full and that all persons,
including students and workers, who are in jail in connection with offences
arising out of political activities, should immediately be released. All
pending cases arising out of political activities should also be withdrawn and
all political prisoners detained without trial should be released.
" Grave and challenging problems, including
those of hunger, unemployment, illiteracy and floods, among others lie ahead. We
pledge to do everything possible, - with the active support and co-operation of
the people, so that we may look forward to a better future."
(THE DAWN, Karachi-December 20, 1970)
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