Malik Ready To Meet Indian Ministers
THE new civilian governor of East Bengal, Dr A.M. Malik, said on Tuesday that he was ready to meet Indian Ministers to discuss the question of return of the refugees and other allied issues, reports UNI.
Broadcasting over the Dacca Radio, Dr Malik said: If both have real sympathy for the refugees, there is not reason why the refugee problem cannot be solved.” He charged India with carrying on “false propaganda” which frightened the refugees and prevented their returning. He assured the refugees that immediately on their return, they would be rendered all financial and administrative assistance or resettlement.
Dr. Malik admitted that there was large-scale distribution of the refugees property among the Army collaborators but said that if the refugees returned, their property would be restored to them. He also admitted that the collossal damage suffered by the province’s economy, industry and trade, education and communication.
Dr. Malik said as road and rail communication continues to be disrupted, they had to depend mainly on river transport. China and Britain had supplied a number of ships and vessels to help restore river transport.
The Government was acquiring food from all sources to meet the scarcity. The Government, he added, was aware that the people had no purchasing power.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 14.9.1971