Evacuees Told Not To Be Misguided
By Interested Parties From Our Staff Correspondent, DUM DUM, Sept 6. – The Union Finance Minister, Mr Y. B. Chavan advised Bangladesh evacuees not to become pawns in the hands of interested parties. Taking advantage of their plight, these people were trying to misguide them, he said.
Mr. Chavan, who on his arrival from Delhi this morning visited evacuees camps at Salt Lake before going to Calcutta, said the evacuees should keep in mind the fact that their main task was to maintain their zeal for the independence of Bangladesh. They should not forget that, though they were living in India, they were partners of the people who were fighting in the various fronts, under adverse conditions to liberate Bangladesh.
When members of the liberation army were able to continue their fight under trying conditions, why should the evacuees who had come to India to save their lives, nor face some difficulties patiently, he wondered.
The Finance Minister said that India with her limited resources, was facing many problems of her own. The floods in West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh had affected more than 10 million people. There were many other problems, yet, India was sympathetic to the struggle for independence of the people of Bangladesh and would do whatever was possible to help them. It might not be possible, he said to meet all the requirements of the camp dwellers. He appealed to them to cooperate with the Government instead of grumbling over ration cuts. There was no point in becoming vocal only about grievances, he added.
When people rose for a just cause there was no power on earth that could suppress them. “I am confident that the day is not far off when you will be able to return to your country and get back the property which you have left behind”, Mr. Chavan said.
The Minister urged the youths of Bangladesh in the camps to be inspired with a strong desire for the independence of their country. He also told them to offer constructive suggestions for the consideration of the Government.
The youths should take part in the work relating to the smooth running of the camps and also in the matter of maintenance of discipline there, he added.
The Union Ministers, Mr. Sidhartha Sankar Ray and Mr. O. P. Chatterjee accompanied Mr. Chavan.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 07.09.1971