Kidnapped journalists’ parents meet PM
From Our Delhi Office, Aug. 14.–Parents of Mr. Deepak Banerjee, a Calcutta journalist who had been kidnapped by Pakistani troops from Indian territory on April 2 along with a journalist student, met the Prime Minister here today and requested her to use her influence to get the two journalists released.
Mrs. Ghandi, it is learnt, assured them that she would do her best for the two journalists.
According to available information. Mr. Banerjee and his companion. Mr. Surrajit Ghosal, a student of journalism in Calcutta University, were forcibly taken away by Pakistani troops from Sonamura in Tripura on April 2.
Mr. and Mrs. Ram Dulal Banerjee, parents of the missing journalist, were accompanied by Mr. S. M. Banerjee, MP (CPI). They handed photographs of the missing journalists to the Prime Minister and supplied her with details.
UNI adds : Dr. A. D. Mani (Ind) today urged the Government in the Rajya Sabha to make efforts to find out the whereabouts of Mr. Deepak Banerjee.
He said the Government should take up the matter with Pakistani authorities and inform the anxious parents of Mr. Banerjee of his whereabouts. The Government should specifically ascertain under what law Mr. Banerjee was being detained.
Mr. Mani also pleaded for payment of some compensation to the family.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 15.8.1971