What happened on Wednesday, March 10, 1971
NAP chief Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani’s full confidence and support for Sheikh Mujib shown the day before at Paltan Maidan was reflected among Bengali leftists. Leftist participation in the freedom struggle became stronger.
According to the program of non-cooperation movement announced by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, all government and semi-government offices, high courts and district courts, including the secretariat, went on strike for the tenth day.
The red and green flag with the map of independent Bengal started flying from house to house. The flag was seen flying at the Rajarbagh police line, various police station buildings, the High Court and even the Chief Justice’s residence.
In the morning, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman met a group of foreign journalists at his residence. At that time, he said, “Seven crore Bengalis are very much aware of their rights today. They are determined to assert these rights at any cost.” He said, “Many Bengalis have given their lives. Now we want to end this bloodshed.”
In the afternoon, a street rally was held in Dhaka New Market area at the initiative of Wali-st National Awami Party (NAP), demanding an independent Bengal free from exploitation. The rally was chaired by Professor Mozaffar Ahmed.
Expatriate Bengali students protested in front of the UN headquarters in New York. The students submitted a memorandum to Secretary-General U-Thant demanding UN intervention in the killing of unarmed Bengalis.
In the morning, a staff meeting was held at the premises of Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall of Dhaka University on the initiative of Central Student League. A statement from the Independent Bangladesh Students Action Committee (স্বাধীন বাংলা ছাত্র সংগ্রাম পরিষদ), signed by the Bangladesh Studens League (বাংলাদেশ ছাত্রলীগ) and Dhaka University Central Students Union, DUCSU leaders at the staff meeting, appealed to members of the Bengali army, EPR and police force not to cooperate with the Pakistan’s colonial government.
In Dhaka, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said in a statement, “The instructions I have given in the name of the people of Bangladesh are being observed in government and semi-government offices, courts, railways and ports.” In his statement, Sheikh Mujib further said that. “The ruling clique is harbouring a vindictive attitude and is engaged in a deep conspiracy against the people of Bangladesh. They are trying to maintain a state of emergency in the heart of Bengal by maintaining a visible military presence.”
Talking to reporters in Karachi, NAP chief Wali Khan said he would arrive in Dhaka on March 13 to exchange views with Sheikh Mujib. “We have to try to formulate a constitution first so that power can be transferred,” he told reporters.
40 prisoners escaped from Narayangonj Jail.
From the beginning of the non-cooperation movement, artists in all mediums like radio, television, film had been associated with the movement. On this day, a protest procession brought out in the banner of ‘Aggrieved Artists’ Society’ (বিক্ষুব্ধ শিল্পী সমাজ).
The Bengali daily newspaper ‘Dainik Pakistan’, controlled by the Pakistani Junta, published an editorial for the second day calling for the transfer of power to the elected representatives with the headline “No further delay”. On the other hand, the newspaper “The People”, holding Bhutto responsible for the bloodshed in East Pakistan wrote, “Bhutto is responsible for the bloodshed of Bengalis.”
The “Chittagong Action Council” (চট্টগ্রাম সংগ্রাম পরিষদ) was formed under the leadership of Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury, M.R. Siddiqui, M.A. Hannan, M.A. Mannan, Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, Maulvi Syed Ahmed, A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury and others. The Chittagong Action Council expressed its determination to implement any decision of the Central Committee.
Artists of ‘Chittagong Shilpa-Sahitya Parishad’ (platform of Chittagong’s Art-literature activists) rehearsed the play ‘Ebarer Sangram’ written by Professor Mamtaz Uddin.
Translated by Masuma Begum
Editorial contribution by Arghya Raihan
Researched, compiled & Edited by Sagar Lohani
Gratitude to Christina Rozario
Bangalianaa/SL
