NEW DELHI, April 12 (UPI) —The secessionists who have declared the creation of Bangla Desh — Bengal Nation — proclaimed sovereignty over East Pakistan today and appealed to “all democratic countries” for recognition and assistance in the civil war with West Pakistan.

The proclamation, broadcast by a station calling itself “Free Bengal Radio,” which was monitored here. said the capital of Bangla Desh would be Chudanga, a small town of 10 miles from the border with India.