Rajarbagh attack accelerated the declaration of independence: Home Minister

In his speech on the occasion of the Independence Day of Great Bangladesh, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that the attack by Pakistani forces on Rajarbagh Police Lines on the night of March 25, 1971 forced the nation to declare independence quickly.

He said that if there had not been a brutal attack that night, the declaration of independence could have come a few days later. But that massacre changed the situation and forced the nation to take immediate decisions.

As part of the historically known Operation Searchlight, the Pakistani forces launched the first major attack on Rajarbagh Police Lines. The Home Minister said that the first massacre began here, which later spread to various places including Dhaka University's Jagannath Hall.

He also said that after receiving news of this situation, the then Major Ziaur Rahman decided to revolt and later declared independence from the Kalurghat radio station.

At that time, he also mentioned the leadership of the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and said that later it was on his behalf that the revised Declaration of Independence was broadcast.

The Home Minister said that the sacrifice of the police members of the Rajarbagh Police Line accelerated the beginning of the Liberation War and laid the foundation for the fight for independence.

At the event, he paid tribute to all the martyrs of the country and said that independent Bangladesh was established through their sacrifices.