Return of evacuees commences
By A Staff Report, The influx of evacuees from Bangladesh to West Bengal has now stopped said Dr. B. K. Bhattacharya, Relief Commissioner, on Thursday.
On the other hand a trek back to Bangladesh has already set in. Although actual figures have not yet been made available, District Magistrates have been asked to send reports in this connection.
The policy of the Government of India is that all evacuees, including those living with their friends and relatives in their respective places of residence as early as possible.
To find out ways for the return of the evacuees, the representatives of Bangladesh Government, and the officers of the Relief and Rehabilitation Departments of the Central and West Bengal Governments conferred in Calcutta on Wednesday.
It was decided at the meeting that the evacuees who came from the border districts should be sent first. It was also suggested that all camp evacuees should go back within three months at the latest.
Trucks and other types of vehicles for their dispersal will be supplied by the Central and West Bengal Governments. Rations will also be supplied to them for seven days when they leave the camps.
It was also decided at the conference that the leaders of the Bangladesh Government would visit different camps to persuade the evacuees to return to their homes. Leaflets and pamphlets will also be distributed among them.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 07.12.1971