পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (চতুর্দশ খণ্ড).pdf/১০৫

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ চতুর্দশ খণ্ড
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 Three miles across the border, at the Bast Pakistan town of Darsana, several score Bangladesh supporters are sitting in a former police post, worrying each other with conflicting reports about the imminent fall of the provisional capital, Chuadanga. which lies another 10 miles down the road. “Two Pakistani planes have bombed Chuadanga...More than one Bengali has been killed...Punjabi troops are only three miles from the city. . . There are no Bangladesh troops near the town, they have all left already."

"We Will Die"

 One politician gives a solemn and sincere speech about the failure of the outside world to come to the aid of Bangladesh. A small knot of men is watching a medic operate on a pudgy compatriot-a dab of iodine is being applied to a small cut on his left palm. Another local leader is asked what the Bangladesh forces plan as the opposing army advances. “We will die,” he says, and the others grimly nod. But the next day the Pakistan army walked into Chuadanga unopposed.

 A constant sad refrain these days from Bangladesh people is the failure of the outside world to aid them. The expectations of Bangladesh may have been naive, but even far more practical-minded men would have been disappointed at the world response. No great power has helped the Bengalis, who represent a majority of the Pakistani population and are fighting for independence after having been attacked.

 Russia has given Bangladesh a bit of verbal support-in the form of a call to West Pakistan to stop the killing. On the other hand, Red China, a proponent of civil wars. has given strong verbal backing to West Pakistan.

 Only India, Pakistan's neighbor and enemy, has given Bangladesh firm verbal support. India has permitted limited unofficial aid to flow across its borders into East Pakistan and has let Bangladesh forces and followers take refuge, at least temporarily. But even India has stopped well short of diplomatic recognition or organized military assistance.

The Threat of Chaos

 So far, both India and Pakistan, despite bitter charges and countercharges, seem anxious to avoid a real confrontation. But if either drops its current caution, the chaos of East Pakistan could engulf the whole subcontinent.

 Only yards from the Indian border, Bangladesh held a ceremony in a mango grove at a village called Mujibnagar last Saturday. The provisional government of Bangladesh was officially presented to the press, a proclamation of Independence, was read, and speakers made patriotic addresses.

 But glory fades quickly for Bangladesh. The day after the ceremony, the village is deserted except for a few dozen residents. The reviewing stand still sits under a spreading mango tree, but only several ducks and a goose strut around it.

 The memory of glory lives on, however, Back on the Indian side of the border, a Bangladesh official is still dreaming about the previous day. “It was a wonderful day.” he declares. “Seven ministers and 27 eminences. Very good speeches. A fine ceremony."