| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
|---|---|---|
| সম্পাদকের সাথে বৈঠককালে প্রধানমন্ত্রী ইন্দিরা গান্ধীর ঘোষণা: “শরণার্থীদের নিরাপত্তার সাথে দেশে ফেরৎ পাঠাতে আমি প্রতিজ্ঞ’ | ‘দৈনিক ষ্টেটসম্যান’ | ১৮ জুন, ১৯৭১ |
MRS. GANDHI SAYS—
I Am Determined to Send Them Back
NEW DELHI. June 17—Mrs. Indira Gandhi today reiterated India's determination to send back Bangladesh refugees as soon as normalcy returned there, says UNI “I am just going to send them back. I am determined to send them back”, she told a meeting of economic editors.
In her hour-long meeting, Mrs. Gandhi was mainly asked questions relating to the problem arising out of the influx of refugees from East Bengal which she said had become the “tremendous burden on India—a burden on other country in the world had to bear at such a short time and on such a massive scale.
Mrs. Gandhi conceded that India would have to spend a great deal on these refugees. These problems were being sorted out by the Planning Commission and other departments. It would also depend upon the scale of assistance India received from international community. So far India had received only $36 million, she said.
Mrs. Gandhi was asked whether she would think of issuing an appeal for austerity by the States and seek donations in view of the meager budgetary provision of Rs 60 crores and partly international response in terms of assistance for the refugees.
Mrs. Gandhi said “I have begun it with the States privately. We are working out a programme also.”
She emphasized the role of the India Press in this respect.
The Prime Minister said there had been no difference in India's attitude towards Bangladesh. Right from the beginning India had been demanding a political settlement. “I am sure if all the world powers had put the requisite pressure earlier, it (settlement) could have been possible. I think the possibility now is more remote”, she added.
Mrs. Gandhi said so far India was concerned, a political settlement meant an agreement with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his Awami League colleagues who had won the recent elections. “What they wanted was for them to decide”, she added.
