Page 2 - ch 19

Module - V India-Pakistan War-1971

Major Wars Post
Independence

Note

Map 19.1: Map of West and East Pakistan

The military leadership of Pakistan under General Yahya Khan not only canceled the
national assembly but also did not allow the formation of government by the Awami
League who had won the recently held national elections. In other words, West Pakistan
government rejected the demand for greater political control by the Bengalis. The
military arrested the leader of Awami League, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in March 1971
and imposed military rule in East Pakistan. They started committing atrocities against
the people. Thousands of refugees started entering India and this created a big problem.
Atrocities by Pakistan Army and refusal to accept the demands of the people led to
formation of a movement called ‘Mukti Bahini’ or Freedom Fighters, who led the
armed liberation struggle against the Pakistani army.

What is Mukti Bahini Movement and what was the reason for its formation?
Mukti Bahini is an armed liberation struggle movement started in East Pakistan
against the West Pakistan government. The reason for its formation was the refusal
of letting Awami league form to the government after the national elections and arrest
of the leader of Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The mass killing was viewed as ‘genocide’ committed by the Pakistani army against
its own citizens that led to an estimated 10 million Bengalis fleeing East Pakistan as
refugees to India. The Fig 19.1 shows the people heading to India from East Pakistan.

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MILITARY HISTORY