a○> বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড But nevertheless, they are not equal in that way to the army and it is not in our national interest that an entire people not just the Mukti Bahini, but the entire unarmed population of Bangladesh should be annihilated. Although the threat is already great anything like this happening or even happening partially would increase the threat to our security immediately and also for the future. On the western side, our armed forces were deployed some time after the Pakistani troops moved up to our borders. We have not taken any initiative there. But as I said we shall meet any threat to our freedom or our security and of course we feel that the present threat to our freedom or our security and of course we feel that the present threat just is not merely a threat but a threat to the very foundation on which India is built and on which India is surviving. Now there are suggestions your have heard about the withdrawal of troops. I have already explained in the other forum why we cannot withdraw our troops in the west because our lines of communication, the cantonments and so on are so placed that Pakistan has a very great advantage and having twitch been taken unawares by Pakistan in this very area in Kashmir and so on, we cannot afford that risk But I would certainly welcome the withdrawal of troops and I think the troops that should be withdrawn straightway are the Pakistani troops in Bangladesh. They are far from their homes, they are also suffering and I think that they should be taken back to rejoin their families and friends in West Pakistan. And this would be a positive response from Pakistan to show that they do want a solution in Bangladesh. It would be a gesture for peace. And I do feel that in today's circumstances, the very presence of Pakistani troops in Bangladesh, as I said earlier is a threat to our own security. I think that I have answered most of the points. So far as the present situation is concerned as you know the Mukti Bahini is facing very courageously, it is a very difficult fight but they are fighting very bravely, and they have our good wishes and they have our supper also. Nobody can predict what the future will bring but as I have are on an earlier occasion, nothing is going to ease the situation immediate. No matter what happens what steps we take the next month will be of very great difficulty to us and also to the people of Bangladesh. I mean we have to know there is no solution, which is a magicabition, which will end the suffering of the refugees or end the burdens on us. This just cannot happen with the best will in the world. I am glad that this unity has been shown. Shri Chatterjee spoke something about our singling out his party and so on. I can assure him that it is not all our intention. But certain things had happened in West Bengal. I am glad that the situation has improved greatly and once there is peace there will be no cause for anybody to be poised against anybody else and this is the time when all parties should unite because as I said the burden on the Indian people is very great and the challenge and the difficulties we face are extremely difficult and they will need all the strength we have all the resources we have and all the unity and determination which we can bring to bear upon. I have full confidence that all parties will respond to this challenge and together we will be able to come out of what is a dark period for us and for the people of Bangladesh. We will come out of it and they will be able to make a new life for themselves.
