FROM SUHRAWARDY UDYAN: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commented that Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s homecoming on January 10 in 1972 fulfilled the independence of Bangladesh.

‘Pakistani occupation army surrendered to the alliance forces on December 16 in 1971 after a nine-month armed struggle,’ the PM said, ‘Bangabandhu was then confined into a prison in Pakistan’.

‘The nation’s independence was fulfilled through the return of Bangabandhu to his home on January 10 in 1972’.

The premier made this assertion while addressing a rally on Monday (January 11) at Suhrawardi Udyan in city on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s homecoming.

The PM said, ‘People participated in the country’s war of independence following Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech. The occupation forces conducted massacre on March 25 and arrested Bangabandhu on the following day’.

‘Bangabandhu declared the nation’s independence through EPR (then East Pakistan Rifles) wireless just before the arrest.’

‘Later, (Pakistan then president) Yahya Khan ordered to hang Bangabandhu but could not execute for global pressure.’

‘Pakistan compelled to release Bangabandhu as people of the country liberated the land. Bangabandhu’s homecoming then fulfilled Bangladesh’s independence’, she added.

BDST: 1732 HRS, JAN 11, 2016
RR