DACCA: With the restoration of peaceful conditions in all major towns and the countryside in East Pakistan, the entire province is gradually resuming normal economic life. In Dacca today [March 31], the mood was one of marked relaxation, with distinctly greater activity in the city’s shopping centres than was seen in the past few days. In old Dacca city and other areas, more than 50 per cent of the shops were open. The people freely moved about on the streets and vehicular traffic was back... . — Agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Dacca,] The Indian Radio continues to heap lies upon lies. The crude and indecent concoctions about the situation in East Pakistan, that have become its outstanding characteristic profaning the name of objective reporting continue to be broadcast over the extensive network of the All India Radio, said a Radio Pakistan commentator... .

The fact that all this bears no relationship to truth does not disturb those who are wielding the propaganda hatchet. For instance, even after the announcement by Radio Pakistan that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been arrested, the AIR men continued to persist with items purporting to deny it… . The same treatment was given to East Pakistan Martial Law Administrator Gen. Tikka Khan: while the General is busy doing hundred and one things in Dacca, including appearing on TV, the Indian disciples of late unlamenting Goebbels persist in projecting his death.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2021