পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (চতুর্থ খণ্ড).pdf/৭৩৮

707 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিল : চতুর্থ খন্ড The government has embarked on a dangerous course of action which it is pursuing relentlessly. It is very frightening because it is so mindless. It has not only escalated a war situation in South Asia but also sown the seeds of violent social upheaval in that area. It is bleeding East Pakistan white and at the same time runing the economy of West Pakistan too. In East Pakistan today the extent of human misery is simply incomprehensible. Leaving aside the death toll and destruction of property on account of army strikes, the spectre of famine is horrifying. Total disruption of communication network coupled with the gripping sense of terror has virtually halted all economic activities and movement of foodgrains and other necessities. Despite the flight of seven million refugees, starvation in scattered pockets in East Pakistan now is unquestionable. Against a food gap of 2.3 million tons during last fiscal year only 1.3 million tons could be imported. And also movement of food stocks within the country from surplus to deficit areas remained suspended since March. Prospects in the immediate future are bleaker still. The most optimistic estimate places production this year at 30% less than normal meaning a deficite of 3.5 million tons. Even if the refugees do not return, it will be necessary to ship 2.5 million tons of foodgrains into East Pakistan between now and June 1972. The internal transportation system with all possible addition of river vessels cannot handle more than 100,000 tons a month even if acts of insurgency remain at the low level of last month. This, however, is contrary to facts; there is evidence of intensification of such activities. I cannot visualize how foodgrains in excess of 1.2 million tons can be supplied to East Pakistan during the current year under present conditions. If hungry millions are to be saved the first essential condition is restoration of peace in East Pakistan. I mean genuine peace and not the silence imposed by guns and bayonets. The second condition is involvement of the entire population in a crash program for food distribution. None of these conditions, I am afraid, can be met as long as Pakistan government's military stronghold continues in East Pakistan, as long as Bangalee people nurture their sullen fear and resentment and as long as they continue to fight either directly or through sabotage and non-cooperation. In 1943 Bengal had the worst famine in its history. Transport system was out of gear due to war and shortage of food amounted to 6%. That famine took a toll of between 2.5 to 5 million lives. This time the death toll is going to be multiplied by three times. This means in the next 3 months some 7.4 to 15 million people will StdrWe. I do not intend to sound like a prophet of doom. I believe the position can be redeemed. The world should not sit by in impotent anguish and witness the destruction of a people. It is dangerous to allow the Bangalee people to be totally brutalised. It is still more dangerous to permit madness in political behaviour. Let me conclude by appealing to the conscience of the world to raise its voice effectively against Pakistan's madness. - A. M. A. Muhith