Passport for travel in Bangladesh
Mr. Ahmed of National Awami Party said that passports would be issued to facilitate travel between Bangladesh and India, but it was yet to be decided if any visa or special permit would be issued at the same time. Incidentally, he said that the citizens of Pakistan did not require any visa for visiting the Commonwealth countries. Customs check-posts might be set up along the borders between Bangladesh and India in the interest of legal trade between these two countries.
Mr. Ruhul Quddus, Secretary-General of Bangladesh said the Government has also appointed ten groups of officers to assess the extent of damage done to Bangladesh’s economy during the eight-month crackdown by the Pakistani Army. On the basis of their findings the Government would take up the question of seeking aid from friendly countries. At present the officers are on a tour of all Bangladesh districts.
All financial transactions in Bangladesh were on the verge of complete collapse he said Civil administration however had been restored in all 19 districts.
Mr. Quddus, who returned after a trip to Dacca and other districts, said the new regime would take immediate steps to introduce a new currency, New postage stamps would also be issued.
Mr. Quddus said the DMS, SPs, and DCs for all 19 districts, as well as officers in charge of over 400 thanas, had all been appointed in Bangladesh. The rate of attendance was 80%. There was some shortage of staff among the lower rank policemen. Recruitment to fill these vacancies would be ordered soon.
Mr. Quddus indicated that while retreating. Pakistani troops had resorted to large scale burning of currency notes. Two such fires were reported from the State Bank branches in Dacca and Khulna. Similar reports had also come from other areas. The result was a shortage of notes making it difficult for the administration to pay its employees.
The Secretary-General urged the people to realize that there were about 15 million refugees in Bangladesh who were without food or shelter.
Ten million people had left the country and about 1 million were killed. Bridges, railway tracks, telephones, post offices, highways, airports and private cars had been destroyed by the Pakistanis. Food godowns had been burnt. In view of this, the administration had already sent some supplies of salt kerosene, rice and wheat to all districts. He appealed to the people to realize the magnitude of the problem the Government was facing.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 22.12.1971