GANDHI APPEALS TO DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES
To Stop Atrocities in East Bengal
NEW DELHI- Indian Premier Indira Gandhi Tuesday appealed to the democratic countries to ask Pakistan to stop millitary atrocities and “mas murders” in East Bengal.
She wanted them to realise that what had began as Pakistans internal problem was gradually becoming India’s Internal problem.
Addressing a public meeting in Ranikhet in Uttar Preadesh, she callenged the Pakistani claim that everything was normal in East Bengal and said if that was so Pakistan should call back all refugees fleeing to India.
India warns Pakistan
At the same time she warned Pakistan that India was “not deterred by its threats” and said “if a situation is forced upon us then we are fully prepared to fight”.
Gandhi said millions of refugees from East Bengal were creating a major problem for India and would affect this country’s economic social and political life.
There was practically no room to accommodate the world too must shoulder the burden.
She wondered why help was not forthcoming “from the rich nations to the victims of the Pakistan army’s at cities”.
She asked the international community to see for itself how democracy was being “murdered” in East Bengal by suppressing the right of the people for freedom.
Russia’s relief
The Soviet Union Tuesday offered a gift of 50,000 ton rice to India for relief of East Bengal refugees.
The offer was made by Soviet Ambassador Pegov when he called on Rehabillition Minister Khadilkar.
The Soviets are also giving 100 million dozens of smallpox vaccine.
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Charles Mace Tuesday had a meeting with Rehabilitation Ministry officials and Foreign Secretary Trilikinath Kaul.
The Press Trust of India quoted a statement of the Bangla Desh cabinet expressing gratitude to the world press for its endeavour to give factual accounts of “one of greatest massacres of history”.
India allegation rejected
In United Nations, the Pakistan U.N. mission Tuesday described as grossly exaggerated Indian reports that 2.6 to three million refugees had left trouble ridden East Pakistan for India.
Pakistan’s chief delegate at the U.N. Agha Shahi, addressing the world organisations economic and social council, at the same time rejected “Indian allegations” that the Pakistani government failed to supply the East Pakistanis with
food.
In the next few months, the Ambassador said, no food shortage was to be expected in the area.
The grain deficit in the year starting July first would probably reach two million tons, compared to the “normal” deficit of 1.8 million tons.
To Fill this gap friendly countries and U.N. organiations assistance would be welcome, Agha Shahi said.
DPA. U.N.s Offer Accepted
Pakistan had accepted the UN. offer of aid on the understanding it would be provided on a purely humanitarian basis.
No relief could be provided to the people of East Pakistan without the concurrence of the Pakistan Government.
His delegation believed the number or evacuees now in India had been, vastily exaggerated- by India.
Reference : The Djakarta Times, 21.05.1971