Tension was growing across the country as President Yahya Khan didn’t come to Dhaka despite, he was scheduled to reach the East Pakistan capital two days earlier.

People were discussing whether the president would come or not.

Ending all speculations and procrastination, Yahya Khan finally arrived in Dhaka from Karachi on 15 March 1971 to meet Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for ‘negotiations’ amidst tight security and extreme pressure.

He was accompanied by the Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General SGMM Pirzada, Lieutenant General Gul Hassan, Maj Gen Khodadad Khan, Maj Gen Golam Umar, Justice AR Cornelius, economist MM Ahmad, and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Mahboob Ullah Rashid.

East Pakistan’s Governor Lieutenant General Tikka Khan received him at the airport in the afternoon.

But no local journalists and Bangalees were allowed there during the president’s arrival.

On the other hand, in Karachi, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto placed a set of demands in a press conference and said Awami League and PPP should form the new government.

On 15 March, when the non-cooperation movement entered its third week, peaceful agitations continued across East Pakistan and all government, semi-government and private offices and businesses remained closed.

Protesting the killing of two students by army men, Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury resigned from the post of vice chancellor of Dhaka University on the day.

Like other days of the month, 15 March was full of meetings and rallies. Black flags were seen hoisting on every vehicle in Dhaka.

The Chhatra Sangram Parishad (Student Action Council) organised a meeting in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque to protest the issuance of new military decrees.

Student leaders urged all citizens to be ready with arms. At the end of the meeting, a procession of agitating people took to various important streets of Dhaka.

The procession passed through Kakrail, Bailey Road and the road in front of the Presidential Palace where Yahya Khan was staying at that time. A large number of military personnel were present in front of the building. Later, the procession ended at the Central Shaheed Minar.

Students lifted the checkposts in Dhaka at the request of Bangabandhu. A meeting of women was held at Topkhana Road with poet Sufia Kamal in the chair. Radio and TV artists sang patriotic songs at the Central Shaheed Minar.

The doctors formally expressed their solidarity with the non-cooperation movement at a meeting held at the Central Shaheed Minar on the day and called on the people to be ready for a long-term struggle.

On 15 March night, Awami League released a statement mentioning the all-out support of people in Bangabandhu’s call for a peaceful non-cooperation movement.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said he had taken over the administration of the whole of East Pakistan except Dhaka, Cumilla, and Jashore.

He had made a declaration giving 35 directives including continuation of the non-cooperation movement and a fresh action programme.