1971-04-15
By James P. Sterba
Page: 4
NEW DELHI, April 14—The prime minister of the secessionist‐proclaimed government of East Pakistan appealed in a, radio broadcast today for recognition of his new government and aid.
Tajuddin Ahmed, who was named prime minister of Bangla Desh, or Bengal Nation, by the independence movement two days ago, also urged foreign governments to stop arms shipments to the Pakistan Government, which, he said, was “killing innocent men, women and children.”
It was his second recorded message broadcast by a station that calls itself the Free Bangle Desh radio, which came on the air two days ago with a very weak signal. The radio is believed to have two small clandestine transmitters in operation, one of which can be monitored in Calcutta.
Mr. Tajuddin, reported to be in New Delhi, was second in command of the Awami League when the army moved to crush its bid for autonomy for East Pakistan three weeks ago.
The transmitters for the Free Bangle Desh radio are apparently being operated by the staff of the radio station at Chittagong, who fled with equipment from the station on March 24 and began broadcasting messages in support of the independence movement. Their broadcasts were disrupted and some of their equipment was reported destroyed in a bombing raid by Pakistani planes. Two days ago, using weaker equipment, they began broadcasting again.
Rajshahi lies 125 miles northwest of Dacca on the Ganges River. It is the capital of one of the East Pakistan's four main administrative divisions and is noted for its university and its museum.
Beekeeping and sari‐making are among its main industries.
The radio denied what it said was an Indian report that Pakistani planes had wrecked the tomb of Hazrat Shah Jal, a Moslem holy man, near Sylhet. in the northeast of East Pakistan.
Denying other reports, the radio said Pakistani troops had left roads and bridges intact.