People tuned their radios and turned their TVs on because President Agha Yahiya Khan was supposed to address the nation. However, someone else read out a statement that the Assembly session scheduled for the third of March had been postponed indefinitely. Hundreds of thousands of enraged people took the streets.

Mujib held a press conference said that this was not democracy but dictatorship and as a sign of revolt the people would observe general strike on 2nd March in Dhaka and the whole country on the 3rd. He also said further announcements would be held on March 7th. 1

Mr. Shirajul Alam Khan (the man with the idea), ASM Rab and Shajahan Shiraj of Chhatra (Student) League believed that only an armed revolution to create an independent socialist Bangladesh was the way. They demanded the indepndence of Bangladesh right away. 4

Lt. Gen. Niazi, Corps Commander, Martial Law Administrator Zone B, is alleged to have come to Bangladesh incognito by the first of March. (Learn more about him and his colleagues here) 19

Curfew was clamped in Dhaka from 8 am to 7 pm. However, the indomitable Bangalees took to the streets. Many were gunned down by the Pakistani troops. 1

Defiant students (Central Students Action Committee) at Dhaka University led by A. S. M Abdur Rab (VP of the student government), Shajahan Siraj (GS of student govt), Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui, and Abdul Kuddus Makhan held a massive rally. Here for the first time the Independent Bangla Flag (currently Bangladesh flag is the same just without the golden map of Bangladesh inside the red circle) was raised by Rab at the historic Battala at the University of Dhaka. 1

Curfew imposed in Sylhet, Rangpur, Chittagong, and Khulna. Angry mob burned the Pakistani flag angered by the decision to postpone the Assembly session.1

Rab and Siraj read out the declaration of Independence of Bangladesh at a public rally in the presence of Sheikh Mujib fearing that since Mujib was in negotiations with Yahiya the revolutionary spirit was on the wane. But Mujib called for non-cooperation movement instead of revolution. 1

Mujib called at the rally for a total shutdown. He asked that no taxes be paid till March 6th. 1

"The struggle this time is the struggle for liberation... the struggle this time is for independence," Mujib finally declared at a rally of almost a million (the largest at the Racecourse ground). He asked that every house become a fort and attack the enemy wherever they can. 1

Mujib announced 4 preconditions for participating in the Assembly session. 1. Withdrawal of the martial law 2. Return of the troops back to their barracks. 3. Power handed back to the elected people's representatives. 4. Proper investigation into the killings of unarmed civilians.1

Maulana Bhasani held a mammoth rally at Paltan Maydan extending his support to Mujib. 2 Bhasani asked Yahiya Khan to acknowledge the independence of Bangladesh 1.

Leftist forces of Bangla in exile formed the Bangladesh Jatiyo Mukti Songram Somonnoy Committee (Bangladesh National Freedom Struggle Organizing Committee) with Bhasani as the leader at Beleghata, Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India. 2

The Bangladesh government in exile also formed the All Party Advisory Committee under Bhasani's leadership. The others were Moni Singh (Founder of the Communist Party of Bangladesh) and Muzaffar Ahmed (NAP), Monoranjan Dhar, Tajuddin Ahmed and Khondokar Mushtaq Ahmed 2

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sent a telegram to the UN Secretary General informing him that the human rights of the Bangalees (Bengalis) were being trampled. He asked for UN Secretary General's help in stopping the flow of arms and ammunition from the west that were being used to kill the Bangalee civilians. 1

Japanese, German and UN workers were withdrawn to their respective countries. 1

Mujib issued 35 laws to carry on with civilian rule.1

President Yahiya Khan arrived along with several other generals at Dhaka at 2:20 pm to meet Mujib for "negotiations". 1

Mujib and Yahiya talked again as thousands agitated in the streets of Bangladesh. 1

Pakistan People's Party chief Z. A. Bhutto came to Dhaka for "talks" with Mujib. 1

Mujib declared 23rd March as a holiday. 1

Bhutto said at a press conference that he was satisfied with his talks with Mujib and that he looked forward to more talks. 1

The advisors of Yahiya and Mujib met. Rumours abounded that Yahiya would hand over power on the 25th. Bhutto and his heavy body guard stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel (Sheraton Hotel) 1

Major Ziaur Rahman and M. R. Choudhury asked Major Rafiq to abandon his (Rafiq's) plans of pre-emptive attack on the Pakistanis to disarm them before they got a chance to attack. Zia and Choudhury said that the Pakistanis would not do anything and Rafiq's ill-conceived plans would result in all of their deaths. 21

Newspaper headlines read that 150 people were killed in various parts of the country by the armed forces. Mujib feared that the talks were decoys. 1

Yahiya and his generals secretly fled Dhaka by 6 pm. Three battalions took up position in Dhaka as per previous plans. 1

Around 11 PM the army pounced on sleeping citizens. Power was cut and at the Dhaka University they set fire to the slums next to the old rail lines (now Sonargaon Road). As the slum dwellers fled their burning homes the Pakistani army fired their machine guns on them. They attacked Iqbal Hall (students' dorm, now called Sergeant Zahrul Huq Hall) where they met with ressistance. 5

Some of the slumdwellers fled to the Teachers' Residential Area to building # 23. The army followed and killed the slumdwellers in the stairwell. They rushed to the roof and killed some children who had hidden inside the water tank. An old lady beggar who could not make it up the stairs, had her head bashed with a machine gun butt. 5

As the soldiers went up the stairs they kicked open the doors of the 4 storied Teachers' Flats (Apartments) in the building. And as they came downstairs they entered the flats and killed the teachers and their families. Very few survived. Very few survived in that building that night and 27 were killed on the roof of that building alone. There were many dead on the stairwell. On the third floor, Fazlur Rahman (Soil Science Department) and his nephew were killed. 5

The soldiers attacked Jagannath Hall (Hindu hall) that night killing almost all the students unlucky enough to be there. They were lined up infront of the large central pond and shot. 5

Thus began the worst genocide of history... a genocide that many would like to forget and many would like that the new generation not hear about. 5

Death squads roamed the streets of Dacca, killing some 7,000 people in a single night. It was only the beginning. "Within a week, half the population of Dacca had fled, and at least 30,000 people had been killed. Chittagong, too, had lost half its population. 6

Soon after the carnage of the night after the 25th, Belal Mohammad a leftist activist and an employee of Radio Pakistan, Chittagong invited Awami League leader M. A. Hannan to proclaim the independence of Bangladesh on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He had taken a transmitter from the radio station and had installed it at Kalurghat to set up the Swadhin Bangla Betar (Independent Bangla Radio). 20

M. A. Hannan declared the independence of Bangladesh. "Today Bangladesh is a sovereign and independent country. On Thursday night West Pakistani armed forces suddenly attacked the police barracks at Razarbagh and the EPR headquarters at Pilkhana in Dhaka. Many innocent and unarmed have been killed in Dhaka city and other places of Bangladesh. Violent clashes between EPR and Police on the one hand and the armed forces of Pindi on the other, are going on. The Bengalis are fighting the enemy with great courage for an independent Bangladesh. May God aid us in our fight for freedom. Joy Bangla." 9

Unfortunately this declaration was not heard by many since the transmission was weak. 20

Dr. A. H. Moinuddin Ahmed drove Anwar Pasha (Bangla Department) and Rashidul Hasan (English Department) to Mohammadpur taking a great risk. They survived the black night of the 25th but both Anwar and Rashidul were killed on December. 5

Shaheed Minar (Monument to commemorate the martyrs of the Language Movement) was blown up by the army with demolition charges. 17 (Document 6, NSA)

Since M. A. Hannan's declaration was not heard by many, Belal Mohammad went looking for Bengali soldiers who were camped nearby. He found Major Ziaur Rahman there and convinced him to make the declaration. Zia declared the independence of Bangladesh on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 20

"This is Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. I, Major Ziaur Rahman, at the direction of Bango Bondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, hereby declare that the independent People's Republic of Bangladesh has been established. At his direction, I have taken command as the temporary head of the republic. In the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I call upon all Bengalis to rise against the attack by the west Pakistani Army. WE shall fight to the last to free our motherland. By the grace of Allah, victory is ours. Joy Bangla." 7

...Major Zia's message was picked up by a Japanese ship anchored mid- stream in Chittagong harbour. When the news of this declaration was broadcast by Radio Australia, the rest of the world came to know of it... 7

Iqbal Hall (Zahrul Huq Hall) students tried to fight the Pakistanis but were mowed down either in groups coming out of the halls or in their rooms. The army first stacked the dead bodies and then drove them away in trucks. 17 (Document 4, NSA)

Rokeya Hall (female student dorm) was set on fire and as the unarmed female students fled the burning buildings the army shot them. A thousand, mostly students and some resident faculty members were killed. 17 (Document 4, NSA)

Archer Blood, the American Consular General sent a telegram to different American consulate offices and embassies around the world expressing extreme horror at the systematic killing. The telegram said that the army was going into homes and killing people on their list. The list included the top Awami Leaguers, Student Leaders University Professors and elected members of the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly . The telegram mentions the murder of Fazlur Rahman (Head of the Applied Physics Department) (building #23), Professor Dev (Head, Philosophy) and M. Abedin (Head, History) and a rumour that Razzak of Political Science had been killed as well.

Blood further said that many Bengalis were taking up shelter in American homes while the curfew was re-imposed to facilitate the army's search and kill. 17 (Document 1, NSA)

Samuel Hoskinson sent a memorandum to Henry Kissinger telling him of the reign of terror unleashed by the Pakistani army. He asked if the current US policy of ignoring the attrocities in Bangladesh was still advisable or if it were more appropriate that the US, at least, privately expresses shock to the West Pakistanis. He wrote that the Consul General thought it was time to approach the West Pakistanis. He also notes that foreign journalists had been deported but said the full horror of the attrocities would become clear sooner or later. (This deportation of foreign journalists was again repeated in independent Bangladesh by the Khaleda Zia government in December, 2002.) He also said that India, despite pressure on their Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, did not want to intervene and were looking into contingency plans. He recommended closer consultations with New Delhi and that US look at their contingency plans. 17 (Document 2, NSA)

According to New York Times 10,000 people were killed. 9

New York Times said 5,000-7,000 people were killed in Dhaka. The Sydney Morning Herald said, 10,000 - 100,000 were killed. 9

US ambassador to India, Keating wrote in a telegram, "Am deeply shocked at massacre by Pakistani military in East Pakistan, appalled at possibility these atrocities are being committed with American equipment, and greatly concerned at United States vulnerability to damaging allegations of association with reign of military terror. I believe USG (United States Government) (a) Should promptly, publicly and prominently deplore this brutality (b) Should privately lay it on the line with GOP (Government of Pakistan) and so advice GOI (Government of India), and (c) should announce unilateral abrogation of "One Time Exception" military supply agreement, and suspension of military deliveries under 1967 restrictive policy (spare parts, ammo, nonlethal, etc). It (is) most important these actions be taken now, prior to inevitable and imminent emergence of horrible truths and prior to communist initiatives to exploit situation. This is time when principles make best politics."

** The suggestions were ignored.

Rain exposed two mass graves, one at Zahrul Huq Hall and the other at Rokeya Hall were exposed on March 29th. 17 (Document 4, NSA)

Archer Blood, the American Consular General in Bangladesh sent another telegram. He wrote that an american working for FAO had visited the University of Dhaka on March 27th. He wrote about the Zahrul Huq Hall and Rokeya Hall massacres on March 27th and the mass graves exposed in the rain. He also wrote that the army reports said that some students had escaped from the University. The university professors believed they were subject to a pre-planned purge and the burning of university documents suggested that the army wanted to eliminate all traces of the current "trouble making" elements at the university. 17 (Document 4, NSA)

From Archer Blood:

The army burned Hindu and Bengali (Bangalee) areas in the Old Dhaka and shot ocupants as they came out. 17 (Document 5, NSA)

Hindus undeniably were specual focus of military brutality. Large fires burned on 30 and 31 March mostly in Hindu predominant areas. There were steady gunfire (1 shot every 10 seconds) in those areas. Large number of prisoners were taken into the EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) base. 17 (Document 6, NSA)

The army searched room by room at the Hotel Intercontinental (now Sheraton Hotel). 17 (Document 6, NSA)

Six naked female bodies were found with bits of rope dangling from the ceiling fans at Rokeya Hall. Apparently the girls were raped, shot and hung from the heels. 17 (Document 6, NSA)

Workmen who were forced to dig the mass graves said that 140 were burried in the mass grave at Rokeya. The other grave was equally large. A Japanese report said that 400 were burried there. Servants and maintainance men were also killed. 17 (Document 6, NSA)

Ressistance: A British report said that army unit was in a desparate situation near Pabna. They were in control of the town but could not move out and were low on ammunition. They called for airstrikes and asked for fresh troops drop. The unit was told to hold on at any cost and two F-86s were seen flying in Pabna's direction. Many Bangladeshi flags were also flying in Kushtia. The Indo-Pak border in Dinajpur and Rajshahi were also opened to allow the "Ressistance Force" to move freely. 17 (Document 6, NSA)

Shajahan Siraj and Rob ultimately never gave allegience to the exiled Bangladesh government of Tajuddin (Sheikh Mujib's right hand man). They demanded a revolutionary government which Tajuddin did not accept. 4

Now fearing loss of influence, they created the Mujib Bahini bypassing the Tajuddin government, with the help of the Indian army and intelligence. The army was not actually of Sheikh Mujib but these student leaders. The army was trained and equipped by the Indian army.

** After independence in 1972, Sirajul Alam Khan created a split in the Students' League, Workers' League, and Farmers' League and created the JSD (National Socialist Party). Major Jalil became the President and Rab became the General Secretary. Sirajul I. Khan remained as the spiritual guru of the party. The party became the political front of BCL, Bangladesh Communist League and underground party formed by Khan. This BCL is claimed to have played an important role in the liberation war.

** Siraj joined the rightwing Bangladesh Nationalist Party and became the Environment Minister in the 4 party islamic alliance government which includes the Pro-Pakistani warcriminals from 1971: Jamat-e-Islami.

Archer Blood, the US Consul General, officers of USAID and USIS sent a telegram to the State Department condemning the failure of the US to denounce the suppression of democracy and the widespread attrocities. The famous telegram was called the Archer Blood Telegram. These officers irked the policy makers and were demoted.17 (Document 8, NSA)

Assistant Secretary (USA) Sisco called in the Pakistani ambassador Agha Hilaly about the situation in Bangladesh (East Pakistan). Sisco wanted regular contact with him to discuss the situation. He also appreciated the gradual "thinning out" of american population in East Pakistan and the resolution of problems that hampered it. Sisco said US would not intervene but hoped that bloodshed would end. He also cited the use of US arms and the criticism it received in the press. 17 (Document 7, NSA)

Hilaly asked for leeway in dealing with what had become a "civil war". He feared that the americans leaving Bangladesh would talk to the press and asked that their testimonies be calmly and objectively be analysed (indirectly suggesting that the americans would lie or have false understanding of what they witnessed?).He asked that Pakistani official reports also be cited along with independent reports in an attempt to muzzle the american and international press. Hilaly said that that the army had to kill people in order to keep the country together. 17 (Document 7, NSA)

Hilaly asked Sisco to tell the Whitehouse that General Yahya Khan appreciated the position of the United States Government. 17 (Document 7, NSA)

Maulana Abdul Mannan, owner of Inqulab, the second largest daily of Bangladesh, issued a statement saying that "patriotic" (by which he meant Islamic minded) people imbued with the zeal of crusading (Jihad) had come forward to welcome the (maurauding) army of West Pakistan. 11

** Maulana Abdul Mannan, a notorious war criminal, is a former General Secretary of Muslim League and crony of the Peer of Shorshina. He also served as Minister under Military rulers Ziaur Rahman and Hussein Muhammad Ershad later in independent Bangladesh. 16

Henry Kissinger wrote in a secret memo to President Nixon that the Pakistani army was poised to "retake" physical control of the major towns and that the ressistance was too poorly organised. However, he doubted that things would become normal since the Bengalis (Bangalees) would not cooperate. He also feared that even if the ressistance was crushed it would still leave much discontent among the people who could rise again. He also warned that the Indo-Pak tension was at its highest since 1965. He also said that the Pakistanis might realize that they need to give the East Pakistanis (Bengalis) more autonomy for cooperation. He totally ignores the fact that the Bengalis won the elections.

He also said that the West Pakistanis were afraid that their economy would crash without emergency foreign aid. Till this day the country survives on foreign aid, like Bangladesh. Kissinger feared that Yahya might forced to let East Pakistan (Bangladesh) go if this news leaked out.

In the memo he acknowledged military support to Pakistan, though he says the support is low. He said that China had thrown its lot with the West Pakistanis and could be Pakistan's main ally by moving its troops threatening India.

He gave President Nixon 3 options:

1. Support West Pakistan with food aid, economic aid and military aid whatever political and military actions they take. He suggested that the ammunition be delayed. The US need not bother if the economic and food aid was shared with the east. This option would give the US the advantage of maintaining the relationship with West Pakistan and help persuade them to end the crisis quickly since it negatively affects the economy of both the USA and Pakistan.

2. Maintain genuine neutrality by delaying economic aid until WB and IMF were satisfied that the economy is moving again, insist that foodaid be equally shared with the cyclone victims of East Pakistan (Bangladesh), delay all shipment of military equipment and spare parts that can be used to kill but continue supplying nondeadly equipment. This option would give the US a posture that was defensible publicly but the cut in military and economic aid would go in favor of the Bengalis. It would disrupt the relationship with West Pakistan but not do enough to help Bengalis, he added.

3. Give serious assistance to Yahya Khan to end the war and bring about an arrangement which would be transitional to autonomy in Bangladesh. He suggested sending aid to Pakistan so that later the US would be in a position to pressurize Pakistan into adhering to the arangement. He suggested sending food aid without bothering if it was shared with the East except that which was specifically for the cyclone victims.

Kissinger recommended option 3. He said it would make maximum use of US relationship with Yahya Khan and bring about a solution which would best serve US and West Pakistani interests but there was risk that US would lose the Indians and the East Pakistanis (Bengalis) and that West Pakistan might not work towards a prefered arrangement.

The feedback from Nixon was an instruction not to squeeze Yahya Khan at the moment. 17 (Document 9, NSA)

Henry Kissinger met M. M. Ahmad, financial advisor to President Agha Yahya Khan and Agha Hilaly, the Pakistani ambassador to discuss the potential for a political solution. (3:05 PM to 3:30 PM).Kissinger reitterated Nixon and USG support and affection for Pakistan and president Yahya Khan. 17 (Document 10, NSA)

President Nixon expressed sympathy towards Pakistan in a meeting with M. M. Ahmad, Agha Hilaly and Harold Saunders. (4:45 PMto 5:20 PM). Nixon declared to a Pakistani delegation that, "Yahya is a good friend." Rather than express concern over the ongoing brutal military repression, Nixon explained that he "understands the anguish of the decisions which [Yahya] had to make." As a result of Yahya's importance to the China initiative and his friendship with Nixon and Kissinger, Nixon declares that the U.S. "would not do anything to complicate the situation for President Yahya or to embarrass him." 17 (Document 11, NSA)

The State Department gave a memorandum to President Nixon expressing fears of an imminent Indo-Pak war. The memorandum noted 3 points that would be the cause of the war.

1. Continued military repression in the East (Bangladesh), economic dislocation and lack of political accomodation in East Pakistan (Bangladesh)

2. The very heavy flow of refugees to India (over three million according to the Indians) which is imposing a great burden to India.

3. And the Indian cross-border support to Bengali guerrillas (Mukti Bahinis). 17 (Document 12, NSA)

Razakar forces organised by Maulana Abdul Mannan (owner of Daily Inquilab and minister in the Zia and Ershad regimes) fell upon the people of Faridganj. The Razakars, under instructions from Mannan and led by the village chairman, Khalilur Rahman, tortured and killed the people, raped the women, burned homes and looted their property. 15

** Razakar, Al Badr, Al Shams are the Jihadi warcriminals of 1971

Kissinger told US Ambassador to India, Keating, that Nixon wanted to give Pakistan a few months to solve its problems. Kissinger said that eventually East Pakistan would become independent and that West Pakistan could not hold on to it but said, "the problem is how to bell the cat" and that the president had chosen to it gradually. He also stated the special feeling Nixon had for Yahya. He also said that Nixon wanted to discourage India from military action. When Nixon had heard that the Indian military might move, he said that he would cut off economic assistance to India. 17 (Document 13, NSA)

Keating said that military assistance to Pakistan was out of the question since they were still killing in East Pakistan and when refugees were still pouring into India. Kissinger informed him that the President would uphold the "One Time Exception" of arms sales to Pakistan. 17 (Document 13, NSA)

Keating refered to the Nixon's Vietnam policy and said that this Policy on East Pakistan was an unnecessary burden for "friendship" with Yahya Khan. He said that economic aid should be conditional: 1. The killings must be stopped in East Pakistan. 2. The refugee situation resolved. 3. Steps should be taken for a political solution. 17 (Document 13, NSA)

Keating said that India was interested in East Pakistan because the Awami League (Mujib) won the Pakistani elections on the platform of better relationship with India. This brought hope to the Indians. The Indians also were very much aware that the East and West Bengalis are connected. (Infact they are the same people.) 17 (Document 13, NSA)

Kissinger also pointed out that India was afraid that more radical elements would take over the rebellion. (By more radical he meant the latent communists. It must be noted that the communists were at the time a big party despite that fact that they were banned. The students were mostly communists and had gone into guerrilla warfare as soon as the genocide had started.) 17 (Document 13, NSA)

Kissinger further said that a difficult gradual process awaited them (US) while the situation ends up where Keating wants it (independence?). He indicated the process would be long. It is possible he meant the gradual change of Bangladesh after independence (a chaotic process that has led to Bangladesh of today.) 17 (Document 13, NSA)

The Ambassador said, "We are on the threshold of better relationship with the one stable democracy in that part of the world. They are making real progress and want to be more friendly to us." He was referring to Indira Gandhi's efforts and statement that since India is a democracy like the USA, there should be no fear on the US side of India's relationship with the USSR. 17 (Document 13, NSA)

Henry Kissinger told the Indian Foreign Minister, "India is one of the pivotal countries of the world because of its size, position, form of government, example to developing countries and potential contribution to peace and stability beyond its region. Pakistan, which we have a special relationship with on several issues, is a regional country of more special character."

The Indian Foreign Minister, Singh, said that India would not insist on a settlement involving Sheikh Mujibur Rahman but simply a non-military, non-communal, i.e., unbiased against Hindus.

Indira Gandhi told Kissinger that she did not want to intervene militarily and that she was concerned over China's influence over East Pakistan (Bangladesh).

Kissinger informed both Singh and Gandhi about USA's policy for two years in attempts to increase contacts with China, to avoid future misunderstandings and to let India know that their overtures towards China was not directed against India. He also said that USA would oppose any unprovoked military attack from China. Singh wanted assurance that the USA would provide military equipment in such a scenario. 17 (Document 14, NSA)

Kissinger said that USA would back India in case of Chinese aggression and pressure under any conceivable circumstance. He also said that the US would not encourage China against India in any dialogue. 17 (Document 15, NSA)

Acting Secretary John Irwin told the Indian Ambassador to the United States L.K. Jha, that as long as there is guerrilla activity in Bangladesh, Pakistan would not be able to cease fire which would be necessary for returning the millions of refugees. In this reference, he mentioned Indian cross-border help for the guerrillas. He forgets that the guerrilla activity started due to the military genocide.

He says that despite the fact that Awami League swept the elections, accomodation of Awami League should not be a pre-condition. (Interesting notion of democracy)

He also called Bangla Desh's need for independence a psychological need.

Jha said that an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 refugees entered India on a daily basis. He cleared up the fact that the guerrilla activity was too minimal to create the refugee problem. He said that the Pakistan army was deliberately driving Hindus out. For any solution to the refugee problem, the Pakistanis would have to halt their operations. He said that USA's plans to involve the UN to send the refugees back at that moment before Pakistani soldiers stopped their drive was not possible. This would create a false impression of peace where none existed and the refugees would remain in India. He said that USA should address the ceasation of military action first before the guerrillas to stop the guerrilla flow. 17 (Document 16, NSA).

The "Concert For Bangla Desh" is held. Ravi Shankar conceived the idea of the concert to raise awareness and funds to help the victims of the jihadi Pakistani soldiers. He got together with George Harrison, an ex-Beetle and organised one of the biggest concerts at Madison Square Garden. Shankar, Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston, Leon Russel, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann, Badfinger, Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland, Mike Gibbons, Allan Beutler, Jesse Ed Davis, Chuck Findly, Marlin Greene, Jeanne Greene, JD Green, Dolores Hall, Jim Horn, Kamala Chakravarty, Jackie Kelso, Jim Keltner, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Claudia Lennear, Lou McCreary, Ollie Mitchell, Don Nix, Don Preston, Carl Radle, Alla Rakah performed at this historic concert that brought the genocide to world attention. George Harrison wrote and sang the famous song, "Bangladesh" at the concert thus introducing the nation to the world.

** The concert was the first of its kind and every Bangalee (Bengali) owes a debt to these musicians. However, no plaque has been erected for them and no honour has been bestowed upon them yet. As the country reels giddily backwards to the heady days of Islamic extremism, the chance of any such commemoration is little.

** If the link for the concert does not work try here.

President Nixon wrote (handwritten) personally thank Yahya for his assistance in arranging contacts between the U.S. and China.

Nixon also told Yahya that "Those who want a more peaceful world in the generation to come will forever be in your debt."

17 (Document 20, NSA)

Maulana Mannan, then president of the Madrasah Teachers' Association, led a delegation and met General Niazi. Niazi was Zonal Martial Law Administrator for Zone B: East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and commander of the Eastern Command to extend the support of the Madrasah teachers and students. Mannan said, "We are ready to cooperate with the army for Pakistan's security and to enhance the glory of Islam."

Niazi welcomed the support and said that the Ulemas (Islamic scholars), and others could organise voluntary groups. He extended full official support to form Village Defence Forces and counter the "Indian spies". After the meeting the , madrasah teachers and students were inducted into the Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams forces and given military training. 12

** Madrasah is an Islamic school where students learn about Islam or are trained to be clerics.
** Razakar, Al Badr, Al Shams are the Jihadi warcriminals of 1971

The General secretary of NAP, Moshiur Rahman and Anwar Zahid* (former joint secretary) who had left the NAP in 1970 met Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaders in Dhaka. Maulana Kawser Niazi, publicity secretary of the PPP said that the talks had been fruitful. The PPP and Jamaat-i- Islami were against Bangladesh and directly supported the Pakistani army. 3

* Anwar Zahid worked as a spy for the Pakistani intelligence since the 1960s. He was expelled from the East Pakistan Communist Party (ML) when this was revealed. He left NAP (Bhasani) in 1970 after the party boycotted the elections. 3

National Security Council: Harold H. Saunders sent a secret memo to Henry Kissinger forwarding Jordan's King Hussein's urgent request whether the F104s should be shipped from Jordan to Pakistan. He also said that the president could not give any such consent legally unless he were to change the government's position in direct support of West Pakistan. The memo recomended that the transfer be withheld owing to Hussein's "own" realization that the shipments are impossible given its relationship with its neighbours. This was, however, linked to the reopening of the pipeline there. Saunders said that if Kissinger saw no possibility of re-opening the pipeline then the attachment to the memo should be cleared (no shipment). If there were such a probability then the issue should be duscussed by the WSAG (Washington Special Action Group).

Kissinger acknowledged the illegality of authorizing such a transfer. 17 (Document 23 and 29, NSA)

Ashrafuzzaman Khan was a member of the Central Committee of the Islami Chhatra Sangha. After liberation he went to Pakistan. At present he is employed in Radio Pakistan. 18

Top intellectuals of the country were were taken from homes by Razakars, Al Badr and Al Shams and slaughtered in killing fields with the vain objective of cripling the nation. Munir Choudhury, Mofazzal Haidar, J. Guhathakurta, Santosh Bhattacharya, Shahidulla Kaiser, Sirajuddin Hossain, Abul Khair, Giasuddin Ahmed, Dr. Moniruzzaman, Anwar Pasha, Nizamuddin, Golam Mostafa, Ladu Bhai, Rashidul Hasan, Sirajul Huq Khan, Dr. Alim Choudhury, Dr. Rabbi, Nazmul Huq, Abul Bashar, Kh. Abu Taleb, Dr. Muktadir, Faizul Mohi, Dr. Sadeque, Dr. Aminuddin, Saidul Hasan and Zahir Raihan were blindfolded and taken from their homes never to be seen alive again.

Maulana Abdul Mannan (Daily Inquilab) sent his students to kidnap and kill eminent physician Alim Chowdhury, his landlord. 13

Mannan was close to Brigadiar Kasem and Captain Kayum who were the two key officers in the Pakistan army who coordinated the killings of the intellectuals. The trio had a meeting at 2:30 am sometime in November at Mannan's residence. 14 This might have been the meeting when the slaughter of the intellectuals were planned.

According to the confession of one Mofizuddin (driver of the vehicle of death), Ashrafuzzaman Khan, head of the Queens (New York) branch of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and ex-member of the Central Committee of the Islami Chhatra Sangha and an ex-employee of Radio Pakistan shot seven teachers with his own hands. As a result of Mofizuddin's confession, the decomposed bodies of these unfortunate teachers were recovered from the marshes of Rayer Bazar and the mass grave at Shiyal Bari at Mirpur. The murdered include Munir Chowdhury (Bengali), Dr. Abul Khair (History), Ghiasuddin Ahmed (History), Rashidul Hasan (English), Dr. Faizul Mohi (I. E. R), Dr. Munaza (Medical Officer). There was a list of 20 teachers and many other Bangladeshis in his diary. His diary included a list of 16 of the Dhaka University teachers who collaborated with the Pakistanis. 18

Others on Ashraf's list included Dr. Wakil Ahmed (Bengali), Dr. Nilima Ibrahim (Bengali), Dr. Latif (I. E. R), Dr. Maniruzzaman (Geography), K. M. Saaduddin (Sociology), A. M. M. Shahidullah (Mathematics), Dr. Sirajul Islam (Islamic History), Dr. Akhtar Ahmed (Education), Zahirul Huq (Psychology), Ahsanul Huq (English), Serajul Islam Chowdbury (English), and Kabir Chowdhury.

Bangladesh became independent. A conservative estimate says that 3 million were killed by the Pakistani army during the 9 months of genocide and about half a million women were raped. This was the most concentrated act of genocide in history. 10 million had fled to India as refugees and 30 million were displaced in Bangladesh.

An incomplete statistics puts the number at 1,247,000. 6

However, two hundred thousand soldiers and paramilitary officers bent on genocide in 267 days could easily kill 5 million even if every one in two soldiers killed a man every one in five days.

The Bengalis have proved themselves unreliable and must be ruled by West Pakistanis;

The Bengalis will have to be re-educated along proper Islamic lines. The - Islamization of the masses - this is the official jargon - is intended to eliminate secessionist tendencies and provide a strong religious bond with West Pakistan;

When the Hindus have been eliminated by death and fight, their property will be used as a golden carrot to win over the under privileged Muslim middle-class. This will provide the base for erecting administrative and political structures in the fu ture." 9

They were: (1) The Bengali militarymen of the East Bengal Regiment, the East Pakistan Rifles, police and para-military Ansars and Mujahids. (2) The Hindus -- "We are only killing the men; the women and children go free. We are soldiers not cowards to kill them ..." I was to hear in Comilla [site of a major military base] [Comments R.J. Rummel: "One would think that murdering an unarmed man was a heroic act" (Death By Government, p. 323)] (3) The Awami Leaguers -- all office bearers and volunteers down to the lowest link in the chain of command. (4) The students -- college and university boys and some of the more militant girls. (5) Bengali intellectuals such as professors and teachers whenever damned by the army as "militant." (Anthony Mascarenhas, The Rape of Bangla Desh [Delhi: Vikas Publications, 1972(?)], pp. 116-17.) 6

R.J. Rummel likewise writes that "the Pakistan army [sought] out those especially likely to join the resistance -- young boys. Sweeps were conducted of young men who were never seen again. Bodies of youths would be found in fields, floating down rivers, or near army camps. 6

The human death toll over only 267 days was incredible. Just to give for five out of the eighteen districts some incomplete statistics published in Bangladesh newspapers or by an Inquiry Committee, the Pakistani army killed 100,000 Bengalis in Dacca, 150,000 in Khulna, 75,000 in Jessore, 95,000 in Comilla, and 100,000 in Chittagong. For eighteen districts the total is 1,247,000 killed. This was an incomplete toll, and to this day no one really knows the final toll. (Rummel, Death By Government, p. 331.) 6

None of the generals involved in the genocide has ever been brought to trial, and all remain at large in Pakistan and other countries. Several movements have arisen to try to bring them before an international tribunal. 6

Timeline Pre-Moghul

Time Line 1947 - 1970

Bangladesh History

Great Bengalis

Great Quotes

India Quotes

Einstein Quotes

Ernesto Che Guevara Quotes

Hellen Keller Quotes

References

1 Shadhinata Sangramey Bangalee (Liberation Struggle of The Bangalees) An Album of Photographs by Aftab Ahmed. Third Edition 2nd Poush 1405 (16th December 1998); Published by Aftab Ahmed Barna -Sagar Prokashani, 63 West Rampura, Dhaka 1219. Translated by Mofidul Hoque.

2 Lest We Forget: Moulana Bhasani -- the leader of the oppressed by Engr. M. Inamul Haque. Published by the Daily Star, Dhaka, Monday, November 18, 2002

3 Politics - Political Parties -- http://members.tripod.com/scohel Muktadhara © Tito Scohel & Scyma Hesser May 2001

4 http://www.majordalim.com/

5. Atmacharit by Dr. A. H. Moinuddin Ahmed published 20th August, 2001; Other writings and coversations with him.

6. http://www.gendercide.org/case_bangladesh.html

7. Mrs. Afifa Mashrura Moin Ahmed

8. Jibon Charit -- Khosh Golpo by Advocate Najiruddin Ahmed published by Kazi Shahnoor Hosain, 24/4 Segunbagicha, Dhaka 1000

9. VirtualBangladesh.com

10. Star Weekend Magazine, 13th December 2002

11. Jamal Hasan (Source: Killers and Collaborators of 1971: An Account of Their Where- abouts, page 77)

12. Jamal Hasan (Source: ibid page 77-78)

14. Jamal Hasan (Source: Family of Alim Chowdhury)

14. Jamal Hasan (Source: ibid page 79)

15. Jamal Hasan (Source: Aminul Huq Master, president of Thana Action Council in 1971)

16. Jamal Hasan (Source: Daily Dainik Azad May 7, 1972)

17. National Security Archive

18. "Genocide'71 - an account of the killers and collaborators", Published in Dhaka
Page 189: Segment where Ashrafuzzaman Khan (now in New York, and head of Queens branch of ICNA) is cited. (http://www.shobak.org/bangla_nuremberg/ashrafuzzaman_khan/)

19. Bangladesh News (Voice of the Bangladeshis in Australia)/Dec 16, 1999
Registered as a newspaper in Victoria
Level 10, 459 Little Collins St, Melbourne Vic 3000, Australia
Naming The Names --Introducing The War Criminals (By: Ahmed Ziauddin)
[Excerpt] (http://www.shobak.org/bangla_nuremberg/pak_army/)

20. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman --  Prisoner of Consience, Daily Star, Dhaka, Friday January 16, 2004

21. Bazlur Rahman, Editor, Daily Songbad, on Channel I, Trityo Matra program; 17/04/06

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