1971-03-14
By Tillman Durdin
Page: 11
Threat to Striking Defense Workers Is Denounced
DACCA, Pakistan, Sunday, Pakistan, Sunday, March 14—Sheik Mujibur Rahman, head of the Awami League that is leading East Pakistan's movement for self‐rule, today protested a new order issued last night by, the martial‐law authorities here threatening prison terms for civilian employees of defense installations who do not report for work tomorrow.
“Since we have already voiced the demand of the entire people that martial law itself should be lifted,” Sheik Mujib said, “the promulgation of such orders can only serve as provocations to the people.”
He said that those who have been promulgating such orders should wake up to the reality that “the people are united in their determination not to submit to such measures of intimidation.”
He added that “the people will continue with their struggle despite such attempts at intimidation, for they know that no force can withstand the strength of the united people.”
Sheik Mujib's statement fell short of saying that defense installation employes should not report to work, but whether they do or not, tomorrow will provide some indication of how strong the voluntary resistance to the military forces is here.
The martial‐law order applies to all civilian employes paid out of the Defense Department's budget. It said that those failing to report to duty were liable to have employment terminated and might also be tried as absconders by a military court under martial regulations providing for up to 10 years imprisonment.
‘The new order is the first “get tough” announcement to come from the military here since a movement of noncooperation with military authorities began two weeks ago. The scope of this movement is such that the Awami League, which is directing it, is now the virtual governing authority in East Pakistan,
The military authorities have been unable to exercise any control outside of the airfield and military installations because all civilian personnel in Government departments have not reported for work.