President Yahya Khan, taken by surprise at the ramifications of his announce-

ment of March 1, called on Pakistan's political leaders to resolve the growing crisis through negotiations. The appeal had little effect on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who made it clear that unless inquiries were initiated into the killings of Bangalees over the

preceding days by the army, no resolution of the crisis would be possible.

Meanwhile, a complete non-violent noncooperation movement went on in the province, with a call for a hartal or general strike to be observed every day from 6:00am to 2:00pm.

On March 3, the students of Dhaka University continued their agitation in myriad forms. In the rest of the country too, clear demands were being voiced for Bangabandhu to take decisive action over the issue. At Paltan Maidan, the projected national anthem of Bangladesh, Rabindranath Tagore's "Amar Sonar Bangla", was sung at a meeting of the Chhatra League presided over by Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui.

The flag of a free Bangladesh, unfurled at Dhaka University the previous day, was demonstrated before the crowd. The students formally raised the flag and also read out a proclamation announcing the birth of an independent Bangladesh.

Throughout Bangladesh, rebellion was in the air.

All activities were focused on the Dhanmondi residence of Bangabandhu, who constantly exhorted the crowds to be calm as they struggled for their democratic rights. The big question, though, related to what kind of announcement he would make at the public rally of March 7. Rumours and reports of the Bangalee leader going for a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) made the rounds. They had the junta and West Pakistani political circles worried.