Miss Hall, impressed by India’s performance
By A Staff Reporter, Miss JKoan Hall, Conservative British MP, said in Calcutta on Saturday that the United Nations should use the agencies it had in its command to alleviate the miseries of refugees from East Bengal. “The Indian Government cannot be expected to carry on such a heavy burden,” she said.
Talking to reporters at Writers Buildings, Miss Hall said that she was impressed by what the Indian Government had done for refugees. “But it must be a strain on Indian economic resources and particularly on the State of West Bengal. The problem is not going to be solved in a short space of time,” she added.
Miss Hall visited refugee camps at Salt Lake and Aradanga in 24-Parganas in the morning and had talks with the Chief Secretary, Mr. N. Sengupta, and Col. Luthra.
Replying to newsmen’s questions, Miss Hall said she would place some proposals on refugee relief before the British Parliament when it meets on September 23.
In reply to a question Miss Hall said that Pakistan had used a “sledgehammer” to crack a nut within Bangladesh adds UNI.
The only political solution to the problem would be for Pakistan to release Sheik Mujibur Rahman and open up a dialogue with the Bangladesh people.
“It would mean loss of face for President Yahya Khan to rashly enter into a compromise with the Awami League Nor is it possible for him to restore the Sheik to his former status immediately.
“The appointment of a civilian Governor in Bangladesh was a step in the right direction.”
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 12.09.1971