DACCA, Dec, 27 (UPI)—The Bangladesh government appealed to Bengalis today not to take revenge upon those who had collaborated with Pakistan.

“The battle for freedom has been won,” the government's statement said. “We are now facing a much more, serious challenge, the battle for reconstruction of the country. We cannot reconstruct and build a new order without peace.

“Law‐abiding citizens must be protected. Offenders must be punished, but only through due process of law. Those who wage war against our state and commit atrocities against our people must also be punished.”