families. Understanding the circumstances under which such elements were made to deviate, an opportunity is provided to them voluntarily to surrender to the nearest military authorities or police stations with or without their weapons, they can rest assured that for such voluntary surrender, their cases will be considered compassionately. They should remember that this would help them to join their families in their homes and to live as free citizens of the State", the announcement added.
Pakistani Citizens Start Returning to their Homes
These positive pronouncements and actions had a salutary effect and Pakistan nationals started returning to their homes in large numbers. On 6 June 1971, about 1,000 East Pakistanis crossed over into Pakistan territory near Meherpur in the Kushtia district and immediate arrangements were taken in hand for their speedy rehabilitation. On 8 June 1971, another 70 families returned to their homes in East Pakistan in the Phulbari area of Dinajpur district. On 9 June 1971, about 4,000 persons arrived in Dinajpur, followed by 150 at the Godagari Reception Centre in Nawabganj sub-division of Rajshahi, and 200 at Meherpur and Chuadanga subdivisions of Kushtia district. On 10 June 1971, the Pakistan Observer, Dacca, reported that “more people have started trickling into western districts of East Pakistan from across the border. One hundred and fifty persons reported at Rajshahi, 500 at Dinajpur, and 120 at Satkhira".
With experience gained from the physical requirements as well as psychological needs of those returning after such traumatic events, the arrangements and facilities at the Reception. Centers were reviewed and suitably altered and improved. It was decided that each Reception Centre should provide covered accommodation for approximately two to three thousand people, catering for a daily inflow of between 500 and 1000 people with adequate arrangements to provide food, accommodation and medical cover to those returning. They were also to be provided transport to take them to their houses. Receiving time at the border was from 8,00 a.m. to 4,00 p.m. daily, and all bonafide Pakistanis were advised to take recognized routes while re-entering Pakistan, so as to avoid unnecessary hardship.
General Amnesty Announced
On 10 June 1971, the Governor of East Pakistan, General Tikka Khan announced general amnesty to all people who had gone away from their home under the influence of false and malicious propaganda and urged them to return to their homes.
The amnesty covered all classes of people, such as students, labors, businessmen, industrialists, civil servants, armed forces and other law enforcing agencies (EBR, EPR, police, Mujahids and Ansars etc). as well as political workers and leaders who were all welcome to join their families and resume their normal vocations in life. “It is appreciated", the general amnesty announcement said, “that they are, without necessity, undergoing the risk of malnutrition and disease. They should return and come forward to participate in national reconstruction as equal partners with their countrymen"
