পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড).pdf/২৫৪

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বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খণ্ড
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 The Cabinet, meanwhile, has named a sub-committee, comprising the Minister of Finance, Mr. Tarun Kanti Ghosh, PWD Minister, Mr. Santosh Roy and the Rehabilitation Minister, Mr. Ananda Mohan Biswas to coordinate relief measures for the evacuees. Morcover some of the Ministers are going out to different border districts to make a fresh assessment of the situation.

 Our Special Representative in New Delhi adds: Mr. Khadilkar did not naturally want to specify the amount, but having “regard to humanitarian considerations”, the Centre was prepared to bear the “heavy burden” and would give “whatever money is required” to help the large number of people being forced out of East Bengal.

 Till today about 273,299 people have crossed the border, Mr. Khadilker added that up to the middle of April, the men who entered West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura “preferred to return to East Bengal, presumably to continue to freedom fight”. Those who stayed back in India comprised mostly women, children and older men.

Sudden Rise

 But after April 15, however, there had been a sudden increase in the influx of people from East Bengal, possibly because of the extreme brutality of the Pakistani Army.  That everyone who has crossed the border is not depending on the Indian Government’s assistance is obvious from the fact that the number of people in the camps totaled only 89,600. The balance of 169,100 refugees were living with friends and relatives.

 Mr. Khadilkar gave the following break-up I people in the camps: West Bengal 61,800; Assam and Meghalaya-10,700; and Tripura- 17,100.

 A large chunk of the 169,100 refugees staying with friends and relatives are in West Bengal. The following is the break-up of this category of refugees: West Bengal-151,400; Assam and Meghalaya-7,700; and Tripura-10,000.

 Mr. Khadilkar did not agree with a questioner who asked whether the influx of refugees was not too big for the Government to cope with. To deal with relief work with “utmost expedition” a branch secretarial of the Ministry under the charge of an Additional Secretary has been set up in Calcutta. Liaison officers in Assam and Tripura, who will function under this branch were also being appointed.

 In reply to another question, Mr. Khadilkar said the Government was taking precautions to prevent undesirable organizations meddling in relief work. All voluntary organizations have been told to route their assistance through the Bangla Desh Assistance Committee set up at the national level.

 Asked what steps the government was taking to present spies and infiltrator from entering Indian territory in the garb of refugees. Mr. Khadilkar, said, “We have taken as much care as is humanly possible to check such people coming in”.

 Mr. Khadilkar said the border State Governments have so far made arrangements for opening nearly 55 reception centers and relief camps. Their number would be suitably increased if necessary. Adequate arrangements were also be made to provide shelter to the refugees during the monsoon.