পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৫৫৭

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○○> বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড বাংলাদেশ থেকে বিপুলসংখ্যক শরণার্থীর ভারত সরকারের পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয় | ২৪ মে, ১৯৭১ শ্রম ও পুনবার্সন মন্ত্রীর বিবৃতি STATEMENT MADE BY THE SHRAM AUR PUNARVAS MANTRI (LABOUR AND REHABILITATION MINISTER) ON MAY 24, 1971, IN THE RAJYA SABHA IN RESPONSE TO THE CALLING ATTENTION NOTICE, BY SRI. D. D. PURI AND OTHERS REGARDING THE GRAVE SITUATION ARISING OUT OF THE HEAVY INFLUX OF REFUGEES FROM EAST BENGAL TO INDIA. Following the internal strife in East Bengal and the subsequent unspeakable atrocities let loose by the Pakistan Army there from the last week of March, 1971, large numbers of refugees have been entering the border States of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura. The influx was only nominal up to the middle of April, when it started gathering momentum. The pace at which the influx has built itself up will be evident from the following figures: (i) Week ending ... .... .... 17-4-1971 1.19,566 Persons (ii) Week ending .... .... .... 24-4-1971 5,36,308 Persons (iii) Week ending ----- ----- ---- 1–5-1971 12,51,544 Persons (iv) Week ending a a 4 + = + = a + 4 + + 7–5–1971 15,72,220 Persons (v) Week ending ----- ------ ------ 14-5-1971 26,69,226 Persons (vi) Week ending ... .... .... 21-5-1971 34,35,243 Persons Up to 21-5-1971, 34, 35 lakh persons have entered India as refugees from East Bengal. Approximately 50 percent of them are staying in relief camps, and the rest outside the camps with their friends and relations. The Government of India have decided on humanitarian considerations to extend necessary relief assistance to these refugees in the shape of improvised shelter and food. In addition, arrangements have been made to provide medical assistance and steps have been taken to control epidemics. Supply of milk powder has also been arranged for children, pregnant and nursing mothers and the sick. Other essential articles of daily use, e.g. clothes, utensils etc., are also being supplied in deserving cases. The extremely heavy expenditure involved in providing relief assistance to these refugees, whose number is mounting every day, is causing a severe financial strain on India's economy. The Government of India have, therefore, urged the United Nations and Foreign Governments, through Indian Missions abroad, to share the responsibility in tackling this vast refugee problem which should be the concern of the International Community. The Government of India hope that these refugees will be able to return to their home-land within a period of 6 months or earlier, as soon as favorable conditions

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