CLASH NEAR DACCA-CURFEW CLAMPED IN JOYDEVPUR
Press report on March 20, 1971
DACCA, March 19 : Curfew was imposed this evening in
Joydevpur town, about 22 miles from here following exchange of fire between the
local people and the Army personnel resulting in casualties to both sides, it
was officially stated here tonight.
The trouble started when the armed crowd put up
barricades to block the way of the Commander who was returning to
As he was coming back, his way obstructed by placing
a train on the level crossing in Joydevpur Bazar. The crowd was persuaded to
clear the obstruction but they refused to comply. The Army troops tried to push
the train aside to make their way but they were fired upon by the crowd. Three
soldiers were seriously wounded. The troops returned the fire, killing two
persons and injuring another five.
At the Joydevpur roundabout the troops were again
fired upon by a violent crowd.
The tyres of Army vehicle were deflated and glasses
smashed. The crowd rushed to snatch away weapons from the soldiers who fired in
self-defence killing one person.
The Commander and the troops reached
Denial
Meanwhile, it was officially stated here that Army
personnel did not injure any labourer or truck driver near
The authorities, denying the allegation, said that
the Army is not manning any check post on the Dacca-Mymensingh highway.
Therefore there can be no question of either stopping any vehicle or forcing
any body to remove the black flag.
The authorities also denied the reports of "
harassment " and " torture " by the Army personnel in
Jessore-Khulna sector, as alleged in a section of the Press.
The authorities added that with large-scale
collection of arms by anti-social elements from arms shops, rifle clubs and
private, individuals, etc., the incidence of violence and lawlessness has
generally increased. These incidents, they added were being maliciously
attributed to the Army which is already back in the barracks.
(THE DAWN, Karachi-March 20, 1971)
Source: