A new campaign of terror
June 20, 1971
Shamsuddoza Sajen
PAK ARMY ELIMINATING PROFESSIONALS
The Sunday Times (London) alleged that the professional classes in Bangladesh were being eliminated in a new campaign of terror. The newspaper said that their information had come from 'academic and professional sources we know to be unimpeachable.' It claimed that all public servants, teachers, writers, journalists and industrialists were being screened and the 'dangerous' were being eliminated. The newspaper said the Pak Army was creating three lists -- white, grey and black. Those on the white list would be given clearance, those on the grey list would probably lose their jobs and be imprisoned, and those on the blacklist would be shot. The report also included details of what it called a new element in East Bengal, a secret force called Razakars.
NO SUMMIT TILL PAK BUTCHERY ENDS: INDIRA GANDHI
The Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said today that there was no possibility of any summit meeting between India and Pakistan on the Bangladesh issue until the massacre of Bangalees was completely stopped. Addressing a crowded press conference Indira Gandhi made it clear that India was fully prepared to meet any fresh aggression by Pakistan. "We are also prepared to foil all attempts of Pakistan to create communal troubles and disruption in our country," she added.
The prime minister said that it was very unfortunate that some people in Kashmir had started comparing Kashmir with Bangladesh and had even described the Kashmir Chief Minister as Yahya Khan of Kashmir. "Either it is deliberate mischief or it shows how misinformed the Kashmiris are," Gandhi added.
BELGIAN ENVOY VISITS EVACUEE CAMPS
C Kerremans, Belgian ambassador in India compared the exodus of refugees from Bangladesh with that of the evacuation of his countrymen in 1940 when his country was overrun by the Germans. He told newsmen at Dum Dum Airport today that the only difference between the two was that "in our case it was a total war." The international bodies, the ambassador said, besides giving aid to India should also find ways and means by which these unfortunate people could go back to their homes.
REFUGEE NUMBER EXAGGERATED: TIKKA
The Military Governor of East Pakistan General Tikka claimed that India had seriously exaggerated the number of East Pakistan refugees crossing its borders. The total number of refugees from Bangladesh entering India had not exceeded one million, he added. Talking to newsmen Tikka Khan noted that railroads and bridges between Dhaka and Chittagong destroyed in the fighting were still damaged. Only one bridge, he said, had so far been repaired.
SOLUTION NEEDS AWAMI LEAGUE SUPPORT: NURUL AMIN
Nurul Amin, former chief minister of East Pakistan and the province's only non-Awami League member of National Assembly, said that settlement of the present Pakistani political impasse could not be put off for long. A political solution, Nurul Amin said, would be ideal, but the main need was to create conditions for economic recovery to relieve suffering in East Pakistan. Recently, Nurul Amin told French journalists that a political solution would need to win support from Awami League members in the National Assembly.
Shamsuddoza Sajen is a journalist and researcher. He can be contacted at [email protected]
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