Background: The acting President of the provisional Government of Bangladesh, Mr. Syed Nazrul Islam, drove to Jessore from Calcutta on Saturday (11 December) with other East Bengal leaders to make their first appearance inside East Pakistan territory.

The Indian Government announced its recognition of the Bangladesh Government early last week, but so far no other countries have fallout suit.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Jessore--captured by Indian access from Pakistani troops earlier in the week--and greeted the acting President and his colleagues with shouts of "Jai Bangla" -- ("Long Live Bengal".)

SYNOPSIS: In Jessore, East Pakistan, a triumphal procession for Mr. Syed Nazrul Islam, acting president of the provisional Government of Bangladesh--the East Pakistan secessionist movement. The self-styled president and his colleagues had driven across the border from India to make their first appearance inside East Pakistan. Mukti Bahini guerrillas provided the escort.

In Jessore Institute Park, a crowd of several thousand greeted the secessionist leader with shouts of "Jai Bangla" -- "Long live Bengal."
The rally took the place of the installation ceremony which had been widely expected since the Indian Government announced its formal recognition of Bangladesh as a self-governing nation. No other country has made any move to recognise the secessionist leaders, and they have been denied the right to address the United Nations Security Council on the situation in East Pakistan.

Jessore, which is 27 miles (42 Kms) from the Indian border, was captured by Indian forces from Pakistan Government troops early last week. Damaged bridges blown up by the retreating Pakistan forces were among the evidence of bitter fighting and sudden withdrawal. The Indian troops had also left the area, penetrating deeper into East Pakistan in preparation for the final assault on the capital, Dacca. The main sign of military activity came from Mukti Bahini guerrillas, who were patrolling the countryside around Jessore.