This wing of Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik League was never recognized by the government as an official force, but in a public speech, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called them his Red Horses.

[2] Lal Bahini was dreaded for its ruthlessness in suppressing labor protests in the industrial areas of the country including Tejgaon, Tongi, Adamjee, Kalurghat etc.

After the return of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on January 10, 1972, he directed to draft a constitution for the country which was adopted with four fundamental principles of state policy: Democracy, Socialism, Bengali Nationalism and Secularism on November 4 of the same year.

The Awami League, which claimed to have been committed to establish a socialist economic structure, on March 25 nationalized all the banks, insurance, factories and mills which were previously taken over by the government after the enactment of Acting President Order 1.

After the 1973 election, in which Bangladesh Awami League won a decisive victory, the labor front launched a campaign to drive out all other trade union leaders and workers from the industrial areas of the country.

According to the Bangladesh Jatio Sramik League leaders:[3] In view of the fact that the Awami League had won a total victory and since the industries were nationalized for the benefits of working class and the government was establishing a social economy, so there is no need of any other trade union.In addition after the industries were nationalized, in March 1972, the Lal Bahini chief Abdul Mannan declared that the force was created to help the government to establish socialism and economic emancipation of the working class.

[citation needed] Bangladesh Textile Workers League, a wing of the parent organization of Lal Bahini, requested for aid from the United States of America in an application signed by its General Secretary Mahbubul Alam on May 16, 1973.

In a public meeting that took place in December 1972, extending his support for the purification drive of Lal Bahini, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman threatened to deploy his 'red horses' to finish off the so-called exploiters.

[2] Bangladesh Jatio Sramik League had developed rivalries with almost all other labor wings of the country during the regime but it got a fresh blow after the formation of Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) on October 31, 1972.

It was assumed that the massacre might have occurred as a result of the competition for establishing dominance over the porters between left wing labor fronts and the Bangladesh Jatio Sramik League.

According to prominent journalist Anthony Mascarenhas who was in Bangladesh during the riot, some 2,000 people were killed that day and the leftists labor wings who dared to confront the armed to teeth Lal Bahini men paid the toll.

[citation needed] Workers who supported the Bangladesh Sramik Federation were assaulted, and an unknown number killed, in an attack by armed cadres of the Lal Bahini.

Prior to these riots Sheikh Moni and Abdul Mannan addressed their followers and Lal Bahini contingents and alleged that the jutes were smuggled to imperialists by some agents.

[citation needed] The increasing number of riots created a tension among the government and the Finance Minister Tajuddin Ahmed in a press conference on May 12 said that the production is harshly declining and the economy is on the point of collapse.