THE OTTAWA CITIZEN, MAY 10,1971
Editorial
MILLION HOMELESS REFUGEES ADD TO INDIA’S WOES
The arrival of a United Nations Team in New Delhi to study the problem of refugees from East Pakistan highlights a pathetic situation that could become compelling in the near future.
India claims that 1,481,000 refugees from East Pakistan have so far crossed into India and that more are pouring in. It says it has spent about 13 million Dollars on their needs so far.
“If these figures are correct, it is unfair to expect India to carry the full burden of looking after persons who are not her own citizens. Especially since there are millions of Indian in desperate need themselves.
“Beyond the problem of providing them food, shelter, clothing and medicine now is the bigger one of their future. Given India’s over-population, especially in West Bengal, the prolonged stay of these refugees in India is bound to create resentment, perhaps even violence, against them.
“They obviously must go back to their own country and they would do so only if they were freed of that fear which prompted them to flee in the first place. And they would still need help to start a new life.
“Perhaps some of the foreign assistance which Pakistan is seeking could be directed toward rehabilitation of these refugees. After all, the basic motivation behind all foreign assistance is to improve life for the common man in the recipient nation”.