RELIEF
The masive influx of refugees from East Pakistan into India has lent weight to the view that whatever has happened or is happening in the Eastern Wing of Pakistan is not an internal affair of Pakistan, as claimed by Islamabad Government and its allies. This testifies to reports of widespread carnage let loose by the Pakistani Army in East Pakistan after March 25, 1971. That a reign of terror still prevails in East Pakistan is clear from ti e continuing influx of East Bengalis into various Eastern States of India. The number of such refugees is said to have already reached approximately 3.5 million. India is naturally deeply worried over pressing of so many refugees on its soil, which has put a heavy strain on is resources. It is natural therefore that India should try to awaken conscience of the world to the situation in East Pakistan and its impact on India. India connot continue to feed millions of refugees indefinitely wihout gravely undermining its own effort for economic development. World public opinion is now gradually appreciating the Indian view point regarding refugees from East Pakistan. The U.N. and a number of world powers are coming forward to assist in the relief effort of the Government of India.
No nation can and should lag behind in contributing to the international effort for relief of the East Pakistan refugees in India. It is quiet heartening to see that conscious people of this country too are realising this point. We on our part have to contribute to the best of our capacity to this effort.
The New Herald, 26.05.1971
Source : Bangladesh Documents, Vol, I, P. 471