War preparations going on in held Kashmir -Vajpayee
From Our Special Correspondent, JAMMU, July 21.-The Jana Sangh President, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, told newsmen here today that according to reports received from his party workers, who had recently toured border areas here, a war frenzy was being whipped up in the occupied Kashmir.
Mr. Vajpayee said the Pakistani authorities were sending arms and ammunition close to the cease-fire line in the occupied Kashmir and Chinese-trained guerillas had been moved to forward areas. Besides Uripoonch bulge, which was the main route used for infiltration during 1965, several new routes had been earmarked now for that purpose. he also pointed out that hill features of strategically situated Raja-Rani. Cheeri and Haji Pir had also been fitted with heavy guns.
The Jana Sangh leader also said a big military base had been set up in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit and daily about hundred trucks were plying on the Highway linking Slankiang with Gilgit to carry Chinese arms and hardware for Pak forces. He declared war preparations that Pakistan might launch an attack direct or indirect in Jammu and Kashmir to divert the world attention from happenings in Bangladesh.
According to Mr. Vajpayee recently a week was observed in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to mobilise public opinion for acceasion of the entire Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and pledges were taken from people to sacrifice their all to achieve that end.
The Jana Sangh leader said the Indian strategy should be not to give any respite to Pakistan in East and not to allow it to mount any surprise attack in West. This, he said, could be done only if India, immediately, recognised Bangladesh and gave her effective materials and military help.
He maintained that several countries were just waiting for India to recognise Bangladesh after which they would do so. He, however, refused to name those countries. To the repeated question he said if recognition and other things mentioned by him meant war with Pakistan. India should be prepared for that also, but said he was not for the time being for Indian military intervention, not also for India firing first shot.
Mr. Vajpayee referred to the recent statement of Pakistani President, Mr. Yahya Khan, and said that Pakistan had closed all avenues for a political settlement of Bangladesh problem and instead of transferring power to Sheikh Mujib and other elected representatives, she had decided to try Sheikh for treason, Mr. Vajpayee said India was already late in recognising Bangladesh and if she did not rightfully act at this stage, Pakistan, who, was preparing for war with India, would be in a better position. He urged the Central Government to supply arms to freedom fighters in Bangladesh enabling them to liberate Bangladesh from the Pak forces. Military rulers of Pakistan could not be allowed to subjugate the people of Bangladesh on the point of the bayonet nor could they they permitted to reduce the population of Bangladesh by about ten millions to establish parity between West Pakistan and Bangladesh. By already throwing seven million refugees into India, the rulers of West Pakistan had started undeclared war against India. Mounting military pressure on India’s borders both in East and West was a pointer that Pakistan rulers were preparing for a military confrontation with India.
Mr. Vajpayee said it was now for India to decide whether we should allow Pakistan to choose its own time and place and to spring surprise or to force it to fight at a time and place most suitable to us.
He stressed that the Kashmir Government should offer to accommodate at least 5,000 refugees from Bangladesh as a token gesture of sympathy.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 22.7.1971