communications makes the presence of an evacuee population equal to half the population of the district an immensely difficult problem. We cannot therefore but stress the need to move the bulk of evacuees from the district as the continued temporary stay of such a large number of evacueces from the district as the continued temporary stay of such a large number of evacuees has created many social, economic and other problems.
Besides, the influx of so many evacuees into the border areas has brought about great dislocation in the lives of the people living there. To this was added the repeated aggression by the Pak army into our territory forcing our border villagers to flee abandoning their cultivation and other means of livelihood and making them evacuees in their own land. For our unfortunate brothers and sisters who have uprooted from the border villages we would request the special consideration of your Government for relief and other assistance.
We humbly reiterate our support to your stand on the problem as stated in your speeches on the floor of the parliament and from public platforms. The evil motives of the rulers of Pakistan has thrown this unwanted burden on every part of India’s body politic to thwart our development by imposing on our limited resources the mass influx of evacuees and the aggressive intrusions on our borders. We reiterate our support to your efforts to find out a political remedy, Yore repeated messages to the major powers and your addresses to the conscience of the world.
This is no time to emphasise local issues however important they may be. Nevertheless taking advantage of your visit, we would like to draw your kind attention to the vital need for strengthening security arrangements along the border as well as ensuring facilities for building up a sound infrastructure for agro-industry in order to accelerate development of this economically backward area which has had to bear the brunt of the consequences of partition in 1947, including stoppage of border trade, repeated influx of evacuees and a dislocation of social and culture life.
We pray to the Almighty that you may be vouchsafed with long stewardship of our country and that under your leadership it will grow from strength to strength and in peace and prosperity.
JA
TRUA, GARO HILLS
the 12th, june, 1971.
GROHONSING A.MARAK
Deputy Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative
Assembly & Chairman, Central Relife
Committee, Tura
MODY K. MARAK,
Chife Executive Member, Garo Hills
District Council, Tura.
SINGJAN D. SANGMA M.L.A
President Garo Hills, District Congress
Committee (R) & Vice-Chairman
Central Relife Committee, Tura.
ALBINSTONE M. SANGMA,
Member of the executive Committee
Garo Hills District Council & Vice-
Chairman, Central Relief Committee,
Tura.
