Evacuees to return from January 1
By A Staff Reporter, Dr. B. K. Bhattacharya, State Relief Commissioner, said in Calcutta on Thursday that their plan was to complete the work of dispersal of evacuees to Bangladesh in two months. Those who came from the border districts would be sent first. Others would be sent later. According to the latest decision taken by the Central and State Government the dispersal begins on January 1.
Dr. Bhattacharya said that the majority of the evacuees living at Bangaon and West Dinajpur came from Jessore and Dinajpur. Their places of residence would be possible to provide trucks for them. They would have to go on foot.
Dr. Bhattacharya told newsmen that every evacuee would be given ration for 14 days and not 10 days as reported earlier, at the time of departure and some cash so that they might not be in difficulty during the journey. Utensils would also be given to them.
It was expected that the Bangladesh Government would open reception centers for the evacuees who came from far off districts. The present number of camp evacuees in the State is 48.5 lakhs.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 24.12.1971