Additional Tk 30 lakh for flood-affected people
June 27, 1972
BANGABANDHU VISITS SYLHET
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today visits several flood-affected areas in Sylhet. The prime minister declares allocation of additional Tk 30 lakh for the flood-affected people. Earlier, the government allocated Tk 10 lakh for flood victims. Bangabandhu assures of further assistance if necessary. So far, 22 thanas of Sylhet district are inundated and 50 persons killed due to the flood.
Later, the prime minister attends several public meetings organised at Sunamganj, Habiganj and Moulvibazar. He expresses deep condolences for the loss of lives due to flood. Bangabandhu urges people to work hard to increase agricultural production. He also calls upon them to help the government to eradicate corrupt elements.
Bangabandhu further says that floods remain a big problem for a low-lying country like Bangladesh. He accuses the previous Pakistani governments of neglecting such a serious issue. He promises that his government will take all necessary steps for controlling the damage of recurring floods.
The prime minister reiterates that Pakistan will have to free all Bangladeshis stranded in the country, and all the war criminals will be tried on the soil of Bangladesh.
BHUTTO'S TALK PROPOSAL
Pakistani President ZA Bhutto today says that the issue of Bangladesh is an internal matter of Pakistan and leaders of both wings can resolve the issue through discussion. He invites Bangabandhu to Pakistan for a talk. He adds that he is ready to discuss the Bangladesh issue in any place except India. The Pakistani president also praises the role of the Pakistan army during the 1971 War.
Bhutto makes these outrageous comments just a day before the beginning of the Simla Conference between India and Pakistan.
SOURCES: June 28, 1972 issue of Purbodesh.
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