I am glad to say that other efforts, both national and international, are begin made to help the refugees. Many of these refugees are women and children who have been forced to leave their homes and villages under severest pressure and in most difficult conditions. This large influx which continues to grow daily is as I have already pointed out, the result of Pakistan’s atrocities in East Bengal; such a large number would not leave their homes and come to India unless they have no other option but to undertake a perilous journey with little food and hardly any personal belongings. Until the return of normalcy to East Bengal, we have, purely on humanitarian grounds, given shelter to these hungry, helpless them are suffering from disease and starvation. It is the duty of the Pakistan Government to stop their repression and create normal conditions under which the safe return of the refugees could be ensured. Until then Pakistan should be held responsible for their safe return to East Bengal. Meanwhile, we shall to our best to look after them while they are fleeing from an oppressive regime and are in need of food, shelter and medical attention. But the amount of relief needed is of such a magnitude that no Government in the world can be expected to bear the strain alone. A most sustained international effort becomes, therefore, necessary to look after these unfortunate people. We are most anxious that these refugees should return home as soon as possible. In order to look after the, while they are still with us, we will gladly accept such aid as may be offered by other Governments and national as well as international organizations. This again is a matter of direct concern the Economic and Social Council and we hope that the Council will appreciate this problem and endorse this appeal.
III
Yet another consequence of the action taken by the Pakistan Government in East Bengal relates to the disruption of economic life there. With the expulsion of all the foreign press correspondents since the end of March—now I believe 5 or 6 selected pressmen have been allowed to go to East Bengal for escorted tours—details of the economic conditions will not be known to the outside world for many months to come. The outbreak of violence has caused complete disruption of transport and distribution systems and other essential services. Since East Bengal depends on the import of a substantial quantity of food grains to sustain its large population even at a purely subsistence level the disruption in economic life evident during the present crisis has only compounded the havoc already caused a few months back by a disastrous cyclone. Since the military action also coincided with the planting season, the coming harvest would be adversely affected. Under these conditions famine is a possibility and this would usually be accompanied by a further increase of epidemics and diseases. Faminc, conditions in East Bengal would lead to several more millions of refugees fleeing to India. Famine and epidemic n East Bengal can have their repercussions in India as these do not respect any international boundaries. A situation where millions of refugees continue to pour into India with all the attendant problems and sufferings can only lead to tension and instability in the region. It should, therefore, be a matter of urgent international concern to put an end to the further influx of refugees from East Bengal into India. This can be achieved only if the Council can ensure that Pakistan accepts international relief organizations to help the needy East Bengalis urgently and in a most effective manner.
