1971-04-27
By Reuters
Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
Background: MORE THAN HALF A MILLION REFUGEES HAVE CROSSED INTO WEST BENGAL FROM EAST PAKISTAN SINCE THE ARMY MOVED AGAINST THE SECESSIONIST MOVEMENT THERE A MONTH AGO. AND THEY CONTINUE TO STREAM ACROSS THE BORDER, HEADING FOR THE REFUGEE CAMPS. VISNEWS CAMERAMAN DURGADAS CHATTERJI WAS AT THE CAMP IN PETRAPOLE LAST MONDAY (26 APRIL), JUST ACROSS THE BORDER, WHEN A NEW BUSLOAD OF EAST PAKISTANI FAMILIES ARRIVED. THE REFUGEES ARE FED AND SHELTERED...BUT THEIR INCREASING NUMBERS ARE PLACING A BURDEN ON LOCAL RESOURCES. THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS UNDERSTOOD TO HAVE ASKED FOR AN EXTRA 625,000 TONS OF RICE TO MEET THE EMERGENCY.