পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (চতুর্দশ খণ্ড).pdf/৬৪১

এই পাতাটির মুদ্রণ সংশোধন করা প্রয়োজন।

609 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ চতুর্দশ খন্ড was flown in during that period. We started burning in reinforcements only after midnight of the night of March 25. Our officers were being massacred and the civilian population was being attacked, aid for the first few days we could not cope with the situation. Had we wanted to bring in reinforcements, we could have done it much earlier. Also, the Indians say that over 35,000 West Pakistani troops have been killed by the rebels during the past few months. I assure you that if this figure were true, there would not be a single West Pakistani soldier left in East Pakistan right now. They also say that a million people have been killed and eight million other have become refugees. This means nine million people out of a population of 70 million. How can anyone believe this? There are thousands of displaced persons but I assure you that the number of all people killed throughout East Pakistan during the disturbances does not exceed 10,000 of whom at least half were non-Bengali minorities massacred by Mujib's storm troopers and rebellious elements of the regular army in East Pakistan. In Dacca, for example, no more than 365 people were killed on both sides. Now, the Indians speak of 10,000 or even half a million. I would like you to do something. Walk in Dacca and ask anyone you like how many people have been killed. Chances are that he would say several thousands or more. But ask him if he himself knows of anyone who has been killed or whether or not he has lost any of his own relatives and friends. I am certain he would say 'No' to your second question. The same is true of the displaced persons. Some 10 per cent of Dacca's population have gone into hiding in the country-side. So you see shops closed and some houses abandoned. But I am sure you will see that the Indian accounts have been exaggerated. As far as the administration is concerned, we are rapidly getting back to normal. Some 90 per cent of the Bengali civil servants have returned to their posts. Some of them had gone into hiding being afraid that they might be massacred as quislings by Mujib's supporters. As soon as the army moves into a locality they come forward and resume their tasks. We are soldiers, and we don't wish to intervene in the civil service. Our sole task is to reinforce the administration whenever neccssary, using the army's superior organisation, discipline and resources at its disposal. Beyond this, 1 have nothing to do with the administration. What do I know about the economy or agriculture and things like that? Thousands of displaced persons are returning home and we are helping thiern regain their villages and resume normal economic activity. We have over 20 reception centres on the border, which you will see. and we have a crash programme for the rehabilitation of all displaced persons, whether inside East Pakistan or coming from India. Those who are returning home from India have to use untracked routes since the Indian army has been ordered to stop East Pakistanis from returning home. As you know, a general amnesty has been ordered by the President and everyone can return home with complete safety. (iv) Former Secessionist A.A. A.A. is a Bihari who lives in Dacca. I first met him in Dacca last February when he told me he believed that East Pakistan should be turned into a separate state. At that time