1971-03-15
By Agence France Presse
Page: 1
Dacca, March 14.---Fears of renewed violence between the Army and civilians in East Pakistan rose today as a result of last night's Army attempt to break the passive resistance movement led by Shaikh Mujibur Rahman.
Under a martial law regulation the Army ordered all civilians paid from defence estimates to return to work tomorrow morning and said that those who disobeyed would be liable to 10 years' imprisonment. The order covers thousands of people employed in defence supply services.
Shaikh Mujibur immediately called a press conference and described the order as " provocation '' adding: "The people will continue with their struggle despite all such attempts at intimidation."
Members of his entourage said they believed that the Army had issued the order to test the strength of the non-Cooperation movement launched by the Awami League to win virtual autonomy or even complete independence for East Pakistan.
Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, the majority party in West Pakistan, offered to meet Shaikh Mujibur tomorrow and appealed to him to attend the National Assembly session on March 25.
Mr. Bhutto said any transfer of power should take place after a constitution had been drawn up. He firmly rejected allegations that his party was responsible for the present constitutional crisis, and said that his only aim was to preserve the rights of the people in West Pakistan. — Agence France Presse.
Leading article, page 13