E- Bengal Villages to be fined
From a Special Correspondent Dacca, Nov 9
Pakistan authorities here have announced that collective punitive fines will be imposed on entire communities in East Pakistan when guerrilla actions against the Government occur.
Local civic committees have been instructed to report any guerrilla activity on pain of punishment, the announcement said. But in fact it is seen by many residents of Dacca as a slight moderation of past government policies.
The doctrine of collective responsibility has been imposed by Pakistan authorities here since march. Painting slogans on walls of houses has been punished by demolishing the houses and villages where resistance has been offered to Pakistani troops have been razed.
Houses, shops or important buildings of any sort that fail to display the green and white Pakistan national flag are also subject to demolition. As a result it is easy to distinguish between Government-held territory and areas held by the guerrillas where the Pakistan flag is not flown.
Political assassinations by the gureeillas have now reached a rate of at least a half dozen a day in East Pakistan.-Now York Times News Service.
Delhi, Nov 9.-President Giri said today that India was facing a grave challenge and had to guard against any surprise attack.
“Not only should we not be taken by surprise, but in the event of an attack, strike back with vigor and determination.” the President told officers and men of the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam on the eastern coast.
Indian officials yesterday reported further exchanges of fire between Pakistani troops and Indian border forces along the East Pakistan borders, but said Indian forces have never crossed into East Pakistan.
Paris, Nov 9-Mrs Gandhi said here today she would be glad to meet President Yahya Khan of Pakistan, to discuss problems between their two countries, but not those relating to East Pakistan.
She told a press conference: “Problems of East Bengal have to be settled between the people of East Bengal and the West Pakistan army. It does not concern us. I am always happy to shake hands but can one shake hands with a clenched fist?”
Reference: The Times : 10 November 1971