INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS

AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF LIBRARY SCIENCE
1983—84

BY
MOHD. ASIM KHAN
Roll No. 8
Enrolment No. 0-181

Under the supervision of

Mr. S. HASAN ZAMARRUD
Lecturer

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY
ALIGARH
 DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE
ALIGARH MUSLIM UNiyERSITY
ALIGARH-2Q20Q\
(India)

b c t o b c r 3 0 , 190A

This i s to c e r t i f y that the dissErtatjon

was CQinpilfc! u n d e r i ly G u p e r u i s i o n and vjiriance.

( 5, H/san Zamarrud )
LLCFtrtLn

^^iy'

prC^ A 1
DS644
 ^ '^ ^-.5-®_^_i E D G E M E N T

In g r a t i t u d e t o Prof, M,H. Razvi/ Librarian and

Chairman/ Department of Library Science, Maulana ^zad Library,
Aligarh Muslim University A l i g a r h , f o r not h i s reading the
f i r s t d r a f t of t h i s d i s s e r t a t i o n but a l s o valuable guidance
and helping in preparation and w r i t i n g of t h i s d i s s e r t a t i o n ,
I owe him a considerable debt,

1% sincere a p p r e c i a t i o n i s due t o Lecturer Mr. S, Hasan

Zamarrud/ Department of Lib, Science, Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh, who a c t u a l l y supervised and d e l i b e r a t e l y guidance, and
for a l l h i s patience and sympathy in helping me in the preparation
and w r i t i n g of t h i s d i s s e r t a t i o n .

I must say with proud I am most grateful for the personal

courtesy as well as complements t o Miss Shama Yasmin for having
made i t t o complete the d i s s e r t a t i o n who has done pains taki'gg
e f f o r t t o save my one academic year,

I am a l s o endebted t o a l l my respected teachers in the

Department of L i b , Sc. and the a d m i n i s t r a t i v e staff who have
i n d i r e c t l y aided in p r e p a r t i o n of t h i s d i s s e r t a t i o n .

I a l s o got an appprtunity t o give my deep thanks t o my

a l l classmates those who gave me valuable suggestions and help for
the completion of t h i s d i f f i c u l t work.

CO
 I must say with confidence and complements, my

gratitude unanimously parents, our brothers and sister

for their sacrifices gave me peculiar and steady confidence at

any level to make up hill task.

I must make due thanks to my best friends, Mr. Danish

Iqbal/Mr. Asad, Mr. Shahzad and Mr. Fareed Nawaz which

geve me vast help for this dissertation.

At last I thank one and all who helped me in the

course of this dissertation work.

( MOHD. ASIM KHAH )

 C O N T E N T S

PAGE NO,

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

PART I

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER - I :

The last phase of Pakistani

Rule and Emergence of Bangladesh
(April 1969 to Dec. 1971)

CHAPTER - II :

Bangladesh since Independence

(January 1972 to January 1978) 23

CHAPTER - III ;

Uneasy Truce 73

Aim scope and Methodology — 76

List of Journals -— 79

PART II

Annotated Bibliography ^1

PART III

INDEXES : Author title Index 249

CMO
 L I S T OF M A P S
PAGESNO,

1, Bangladesh

2. India VI

3. Farakka V/i

4. Teesta Vlll

5. Elvers of Bangladesh '^

*************

C/v)
• s A U t r t >.v » f l K I L A P K » H ^ w»i.m<^r

s^i^SS^SSS'nOSZS^
(v;
(vi)
JOOMisfeUWMlV tihtt. I M l i

CVIO
(viii;
wr^)mM^

(IX)
PART ONE
Introduction
 INTRODUCTION

C H A P T E R - _!

THE LAST PHASE OF PAKISTANI RULE Ai-^D

EMERGBl^CE OF BANGLADESH

( A p r i l 1969 t o December 1971)

YAHYA KHAN came t o power i n P a k i s t a n a t a t i m e

when t h e f r u s t r a t i o n o f t h e B a s t B e n g a l i s h a d alreac3y

r e a c h e d i t s z e n i t h . T h e r e w e r e many e c o n o m i c , political

and c u l t u r a l c a u s e s f o r t h i s f r u s t r a t i o n b u t a t t h e end

of t h e s i x t i e s , economic r e a s o n s a p p e a r e d t o be most

in5>ortant, A group of scholars in Vienna have r e v e a l e d st

startling f i g u r e s t o show t h e m a g n i t u d e o f e c o n o m i c disparity

1
between t h e two wings of P a k i s t a n , They h a v e shown that

w h i l e i - a s t B e n g a l p r o v i d e d 60 p e r c e n t o f t l i e t o t a l revenue

of t h e G o v e r n m e n t o f P a k i s t a n , i t r e c e i v e d o n l y 25 p e r cent

of its expenditure. In f a c t . West P a k i s t a n , w i t h a b o u t 45

p e r c e n t of t h e . c o x i n t r y ' s t o t a l p o p u l a t i o n , r e c e i v e d 77

p e r c e n t of t h e t o t a l d e v e l o p m e n t ejcpendituire w h i l e East

B e n g a l , w i t h a b o u t 55 p e r c e n t o f p o p u l a t i o n , received a

b a r e 23 p e r c e n t , Wfest P a k i s t a n ' s c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e tdal

f o r e i g n e x c h a n g e e a r n i n g s was 4 1 p e r c e n t b u t i t v;as

a l l o t t e d 70 p e r c e n t o f t h e s e e a r n i n g s . B a s t B e n g a l ,

contributing 59 p e r c e n t , r e c e i v e d o n l y 30 p e r cent,

S i m i l a i ^ , t h e w e s t e r n wing r e c e i v e d an aosolutely

disporoportionate s h a r e of f o r e i g n a i d t o P a k i s t a n , I n the
t h e f i e l d of i n t e r - z o n a l t r a d e , the Vienna scholars; have
e s t i m a t e d t h a t the t o t a l t r a n s f e r of r e s o u r c e s from East
Bengil t o West Pakistan since 1947 had beei:iRs.3,000 m i l l i c n
L i t t l e wonder t h a t i n d u s t r i a l and a g r i c u l t i j r a l development
in West Pakistan had been very remarkable while East Bangal
lagged for Behind in the sphere of economic p r o g r e s s .
Consequently, per c a p i t a income in West Pa}:istan rose rron
Rs.355 in 1960 t o Rs,492 in 1970 while t h a t in East Bengal
£ose from Rs.269 in 1960 t o Rs,308 in 1970.

But no s t a t i s t i c a l account can r e v e a l the magnitude

of mass poverty in East Bengal at the end of Ayub Khan's
"decade of development." I t i s t r u e t h a t the o r d i n a r y people
of West Pakistan were also very poor, provinces l i k e t h e ,
N.W,F.P.and Baluchistan r e c e i v e d very l i t t l e share of West
P a k i s t a n ' s over a l l economic development. Moreover, the l i o n ' s
share of P a k i s t a n ' s n a t i o n a l income had been grabbed by
the 22 i n d u s t r i a l f a m i l i e s and t h e i r a s s o c i a t e s in the Civil
and t h e armed s e r v i c e s . Yet the economic c o n d i t i o n s of the
people of East Bengal were almost unbelievably shocking when
compared to those of the people of West P a k i s t a n . Anthony
Mascarenhas d e s c r i b e s the d i s p a r i t y in t h e following w o r d s ; " . . ,
looking back, I have no h e s i t a t i o n in saying t h a t nowhere in
West Pakistan did I find such i n c r e d i b l e poverty as I saw in
East Bengali.... VJhile the misery of t h e s e people
( i.e,^ t h e Pathan tribesmen and the Haris of Sind)
 would shame any society^ it is in Lerms ox Pakistan
confined to relatively small groups. It is hardly
comparable with the urelieved poverty of the people
one finds on such an immense scale- in East Bengal,

INDIA. •ANGUUMBN. ^^mVnCAL RAfUMB

 March 16-25 , 1971, were days of g r e a t sensation
a l l over Bangladesh, Everywhere, t h e people were g e n e r a l l y
very d i s c i p l i n e d but they were expressing t h e i r anger and
inpatience by bringing out p r o c e s s i o n s , shouting slogans
and organizing meetings^ The c i t y of Dacca became the d a i l y
scene of p r o c e s s i o n s leading to the Governor's House and
the jKianmandi r e s i d e n c e of the Bangabandhu. Every day, in
both p l a c e s , Muj ibur Rahman had t o give a meassage to the
people.
P a r t i c u l a r l y r e s t i v e were t h e s t u d e n t s of Bangladesh
and more p a r t i c u l a r l y the s t u d e n t s of Dacca, They had l i t t l e
f a i t h in the outcome of the t a l k s between the Bangabandhu
and Yahya Khan and formed a J a n g i Bahini ( the S t u d e n t ' s
Arrt^ or the Students* Resistance Force) under the l e a d e r s h i p
of Abdur Rajuk ( a member of the National Assembly) . At
l e a s t five thousand s t u d e n t s of the J a n g i Btahini r e c e i v e d
t r a i n i n g in r i f l e shooting oefore t h e genocide s t a r t e d . Many
Bengali ex-servicemen v o l u n t e e r e d t h e i r s e r v i c e s t o give
m i l i t a r y t r a i n i n g to s t u d e n t s and p o l i t i c a l workers in
d i f f e r e n t p a r t s of East Bengal. But the tirae^ a t t h e i r
d i s p o s a l for such t r a i n i n g was very s h o r t . Nor was t h e r e
any c o o r d i n a t e d plan of r e s i s t a n c e .

At the i n i t i a t i v e of the Swadhin Ban<^desh Kendriya

Chhatra Sangram Parishad, the people of Bangladesh very
successfviLY obseirved March 2 3 , 1 9 7 1 , t h e official
P a k i s t a n N a t i o n a l Day, as t h e R e s i s t a n c e Day a l l over
E a s t B e n g a l . The newly-formed J a n g i B a h i n i o r t h e
S t u d e n t s * R e s i s t a n c e Force h e l d a c e r e m o n i a l p a r a d e a^^ t h e
Pal'tan Maidan of Dacca, h o i s t e d the n a t i o n a l f l a g of
Bangladesh and sang t h e i r n a t i o n a l anthem-" Amar
Sonar B a n g a l a , Ami Tomai B h a l o b a s h i , " Then t h e y marched
t o t h e r e s i d e n c e of t h e Bangabandhu, The B'angabandhu
h o i s t e d t h e n a t i o n a l f l a g of Bangladesh and t o o k t h e
s a l u t e of tile J a n g i B a h i n i . The n a t i o n a l f l a g of Bangladesh
was flown over a l l Government, semi-Government and non-
Government o f f i c e s and b u i l d i n g s t h a t d a y . At t h e instance
of t h e s t u d e n t s , even F o r e i g n Embassies and C o n s u l a t e s at
Dacca h o i s t e d t h e Bangladesh f l a g . Only t h e Chinese
Embassy r e f u s e d . There, t h e s t u d e n t s themselves p u l l e d
69
down t h e P a k i s t a n i f l a g and h o s t e d t h e i r own n a t i o n a l flag.

As t o t h e a c t u a l c o n t e n t of t a l k s between t h e
P r e s i d e n t i a l team and t h e teaun l e d by t h e Bangabandhu,
Tajuddin Ahmed, one of t h e c l o s e s t a d v i s e r s t o t h e Sheikh,
r e c o r d s t h a t an agreement was r e a c h e d on t h e following
points:

(1) L i f t i n g of M a r t i a l Law and t r a n s f e r of power t o

a C i v i l i a n Government by a p r e s i d e n t i a l Proclamation.
(2)^ T r a n s f e r of power i n t h e p r o v i n c e s t o t h e majority
paities.
(3) Yahya to remain as t h e p r e s i d e n t cind in c o n t r o l
of the Central Government,
(4) Separate s i t t i n g s of the National Assemuly members
from East and West P a k i s t a n p r e p a r a t o r y t o a j o i n t session
of the House t o f i n a l i z e t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n .

Yahya Khan and Bhutto l a t e r claimed t h a t the l a s t

p o i n t was incorporated a t the i n s i s t e n c e of Mujibior Rahman,
The comraonsence view, however , suggests t h a t the Bengli
l e a d e r s , who had a c l e a r majority in the National Assembly,
had nothing to fear from a j o i n t session where they were
l i k e l y t o . r e c e i v e the support of the members from the
smaller provinces of West P a k i s t a n . Tajuddin Ahmed's claim
t h a t the p o i n t was accepted by t h e Awami lie ague a t the i n s t a n c
of the P r e s i d e n t in order to accommodate Bhutto who came t o
Dacca on March 21,1971, to p E r t i c i p a t e in the t a l k s , t h e r e -
fore, seems t o be more p l a u s i b l e . By agreeing t o t h i s
p o i n t , however, the Awami League l e a d e r s a l i e n a t e d \,he
l e a d e a r s of t h e smaller provinces of West Pakistan who
had been broadly supporting Sheildi Mujibut flahman and
severely c ± i t i c i z i n g Bhutto since the beginning of March,
1971, and even e a r l i e r . These l e a d e r s (many of whom a
were e a r l i e r flown in for c o n s u l t a t i o n ) were a f r a i d t h a t
in a s e p a r a t e session of the n a t i o n a l Assembly, Bhutto,
who had h i s power- base mainly in the Punjab, would t r y
t o r e v i v e the " One Unit of West P a k i s t a n " where the smaller
r e g i o n s would once more be dominated by the Punjab. In f a c t ,
the l e a d e r s of the smaller provinces f e l t very sore on t h i s
p o i n t and t h i s p a r t l y e3q)lains s i l e n c e maintained by most
71
of them during the t e r r i b l e genocide in Bangladesh.

On March 22,1971, t h e p r e s i d e n t again Postponed the

s e s s i o n of the National Assembly which was scheduled in meet
on March 2 5 , " with a view to f a c i l i t a t i n g the process
of enlarging areas of agreement among the p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s . " 7 2
This was also deeply r e s e n t e d by t h e l e a d e r s of the smaller
p a r t i e s of West Pakistan who obviously f e l t t h a t they had
been bypassed in order to accept B h u t t o ' s demand t h a t an
agreen^nt should be reached between the Awami League, t h e
P e o p l e ' s Party and the m i l i t a r y a u t h o r i t i e s headed by
Yahya Khan p r i o r to the meeting of the National Assembly.73

Regarding t h e r e l a t i o n s between Bar:iglaaesh and

the Central Government during the i n t e r i m p e r i o d , i:.M.
Ahmed, Economic Adviser to the p r e s i d e n t , " made i t c l e a r "
to the Awami league team t h a t " t h e r e were no insuperable
problems to working out some v e r s i o n ot the s i x p o i n t s
even tn the i n t e r i m p e r i o d " . Ahmed suggested t h r e e
amenaraents t o the Awami League d r a f t which were accepted
 8

by the Awami League team with minor changes on March

74
24, 1971.

Thereafter, "a f i n a l d r a f t i n g s e s s i o n between

the a d v i s e r s of Yahya and Mujib" t o f i n a l i z e t h e interim
C o n s t i t u t i o n was due, but the much expected c a l l
from General peerzada never m a t e r i a l i z e d . On March 25,1971
the Awami League team was stunned to knwo t h a t MI4. Ahmed,
who was " c e n t r a l to the n e g o t i a t i o n s " , had suddenly
l e f t for Karachi in the morning. P r e s i d e n t Yahya Khan
also flew t o West Pakistan the same evening.

Hell was l e t loose over Bangladesh aroxond 1-LP.M

t h a t n i g h t . The a t r o c i t i e s committed by the pak Array

on the people of Bangladesh have been con5>ared by
t n j j a r t i a l observers with the Nazi a t r o c i t i e s on the Jews
in Europe during Vforld War I I and some have suggested
55
t h a t the Pak a t r o c i t i e s surpassed the Nazi a t r o c i t i e s .
The f u l l s t o r y of mxirder, t o r t u r e and o r g i e s c a r r i e d
on by the pak Army in Bangladesh for about nine months
in the name of unity and Islam i s y e t t o be known.
In Dacca, in the night of March 25-26 , many l o c a l i t i e s
both Hindu and Muslim, were contoletely o b l i t e r a t e d .
Men, women and c h i l d r e n were e i t h e r shot or b u r n t
to death. Special t a r g e t s of t h e Array a c t i o n were
i n t e l l e c t u a l s and s t u d e n t s . Many px'ofessors, teachers.
d o c t o r s , j o u r n a l i s t s and persons belonging to other
noble p r o f e s s i o n s were k i l l e d in cold blood. Students
h o s t e l s in Dacca ( P a r t i c u l a r l y t h e Iqbal Hall) became
b a t t l e grounds. The students had very l i t t l e time
for p r e p a r a t i o n . Nonetheless, they put up a very tough
r e s i s t a n c e . But, by any account, i t was an unequal fight.
Most of them p e r i s h e d . Only a few were able t o escape.
The pak Army did not spare the g i r l s ' h o s t e l s . A large
number of g i r l s courted death by j-jtiping from the r o o f s
to avoid a f a t e worse than d e a t h . Others were e i t h e r
molested and k i l l e d on the spot or f o r c i b l y taken t o t h e
cantonments for immoral purposes.
I t i s notable t h a t even during t h i s f i r s t phase of
a t t a c k the East Bengali s o l d i r e s and policemen indifferent
p l a c e s offered h e r o i c r e s i s t a n c e . The policemen at t h e
Rajarbag p o l i c e Head- q u a r t e r s r e s i s t e d the enemy for m a
n e a r l y 24 h o u r s . The E.P.R. u n i t in the Headquarters of
Pulkhana fought with the v a s t l y superior Pa}: Army for
44 h o T i r s ,

Before he was a r r e s t e d . Sheikh Mujib made a formal

Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh some time between
12,30 a.ra, and 1,30 a,m, on March 25,1971. I t was broadcast
over the c l a n d e s t i n e Swadhin Bangladesh Betar c o n t r o l l e d by
the Mukti Fauj in the morning of March 26,1971.The
Bangabandhu s a i d , '• In the face of an unjust and treacherous
action by the m i l i t a r y a u t h o r i t i e s in Bangladesh, I do
 10

hereby declare t h a t from today Bangladesh i s a Sovereign

and Independent p e o p l e ' s Republic.
"I urge the people of Bangladesh t o defend the
honour and i n t e g r i t y of Bangladesh"76
The same Swadhin Bangladesh Betar, a f t e r the
above announcement, made the following d e c l a r a t i o n : Today
Bangladesh i s a Sovereign and Independent Stace, On Thursday
n i g h t West P a k i s t a n i armed f o r c e s suddenly a t t a c k e d the p o l i c e
barx acks a t Rajarbagh and the E.P.R. Headqu^arters a t Pulkhana
in Dacca. Many innocent and unarmed people have been k i l l e d in
Dacca c i t y and other p l a c e s of Bangladesh. Violent c l a s h e s
between the East Pakistan R i f l e s and Police on the one hand
and the armed forces of Pindi on t h e other are going, ©n.
The B e n g i l i s are f i g h t i n g the enemy with g r e a t courage for an
independent Bangladesh,Resist the treacherous enemy in every
corner of Bangladesh. May God a i d us in our f i g h t for
freedom. J o i Bangla,'*77

The E.B.R., the E.P.R, and the p o l i c e u n i t s

a t Chittagong, Dinajpur, Comilla, Mymensing, J e s s o r e ,
Khulna, Kusthla, Rajshahi and other p l a c e s simultancoulsy
r e v o l t e d in the n i g h t of March 25-26, 1971. Major Zia
Rahman, Operation from Chittagong, proclaimed a p r o v i s i o n a l
government on March 26,1971, This Government acknowledged
 11

Bangabandhu Mujlbur Rahman as t h e i r l e a d e r .

The Awarai League l e a d e r s , who went iindergcound

in time i s s u e d " the Proclamation of Independence Order,
from Mujibnagar on i ^ r i l 10, 1971, I t was o p e r a t i v e
r e t r o s p e c t i v e l y from March 26,1971. After giving an
accouat of the t r e a t h e r y of the r u l i n g group of Pakistan
and the a t r o c i t i e s of t h e Pak Array, the proclamation
reads"We, the e l e c t e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of the people of
Bangladesh, as honoior bound by the mandate given to us
by the people of Bangladesh whose w i l l i s svipreme, duly
c o n s i t i t u t e d oiorselves i n t o a Constituent Assembly, and
having h e l d mutual c o n s u l a t i o n s , and in order to ensure
for the people of Bangladesh e q u a l i t y , human d i g n i t y and
s o c i a l j u s t i c e , d e c l a r e ahd c o n s t i t u t e Bangladesh t o be
Sovereign P e o p l e ' s Republic and thereby confirm the
Declaration of Independence already made by Banglabandhu
Sheikh Muj ibur Rahman "78•

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assigned the p o s t of

p r e s i d e n t of t h e new Republic and Supremen Coramender of
the Armed Forces, Syed Nazrul Islam became V i c e - p r e s i d e n t ,
Tajuddin Ahmed was e n t r u s t e d with the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of the
prime M i n i s t e r ,
In a broadcast to t h e nation on i ^ r i l 1 1 , 1971 ,
 12

Tajuddin Ahmed warmly c o n g r a t u l a t e d the unarmed people

of Bangladesh for offering h e r o i c r e s i s t a n c e to fa
occupation Army of P a k i s t a n . He highly p r a i s e d the
Mukti Fauj men and commanders (including Major ^ i a
Rahman of the Chittagong- Noakhali Sector) who were
f i g h t i n g bravely, holding back the Pak Array and t h u s
keeping l a r g e areas of Bangladesh l i b e r a t e d in d i f f e r e n t
s e c t o r s . He appealed to the world powers t o take note
of t h e genocide in Bangladesh (already r e p o r t e d in d e t a i l
in the world press) and stop the supply of armaments
t o the Government of P a k i s t a n .

A six-member War Cabinet was announced on itoril

13, 1971. Mujibur Rahman, Nazrul Islam and JEajuddin Ahmed
held t h e i r e a r l i e r assignments. Khond<akar Mustaq Ahmad
was given the charge of Foreign A f f a i r s . Capt. Mansoor
Ali an A.H. Kamaruzzaman were the oth€5r two M i n i s t e r s ,

Amidst thunderous cheers from a 10,000 strong

crowd which included c o n t i n g e n t s of the Makti Fauj and
in the presence of about f i f t y foreign j o u r n a l i s t s ,
the b i r t h of the new Repviblic of Bai:igladesh and the
inauguration of i t s Government were p u b l i c i l y proclaimed
a t Mujibnagar on April 17, 1971. I t was announced t h a t
Syed Nazrul Islam , the V i c e - P r e s i d e n t , would discharge
the functions of the p r e s i d e n t so long as Sheikh Mujibur
 13

Rahman, the p r e s i d e n t , " i s absent or cannot

function or i s i n c a p a c i t a t e d " . Col. A.G, Osmani
was appointed Coinmender- in-Chief of the Mukti Fauj,
In a statenient issued to the p r e s s on the same date
Tajuddin Ahmed gave a b r i e f bat conprehensive d e s c r i p t i o n
of events leading t o the K'^'ar of L i b e r a t i o n of Bangladesh
and a s h o r t but v i v i d account of the genocide r e s u l t i n g
in the death and other kinds of t r a g i c ssufferings of
c o u n t l e s s per-sons- men , women and c h i l d r e n . He renewed
h i s appeal t o t h e world powers to stop a l l assistance
to Pakistan and t o accord diplomaric r e c o g n i t i o n and m a t e r i a l
and moral a s s i s t a n c e to the Government of Bangladesh,79
The Government of the p e o p l e ' s Republic of Bangladesh
s t a r t e d i t s diplomatic offensive on an iiapressive scale
and by the end of April and the month of May, 1971,
'• Bangladesh Missions" were a c t i v e in the c a p i t a l s
o£ d i f f e r e n t c o u n t r i e s , including I n d i a and t i e U.N.
Headquarters a t New York.

In order to f a c i l i t a t e the p a r t i c i p a t i o n of
t h e non-Awami -^ague East Bengali p a r t i e s in the management
of t h e a c t u a l operation of the War of L i b e r a t i o n , an a l l -
p a r t y ConsuJteitive Committee was formed in e a r l y "September,
1971. Besides the Awami League, the following four
p a r t i e s were r e p r e s e n t e d in the Consultative Committee-
(a) N.A.P. (Bhasani), (b) N.A-P. (Muzaff ar) , (c) Bangladesh
 14

Congress and (d) the Bangladesh Communist P^arty.SO

As the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of large areas of Bangladesh

continued t o change hands betweenthe Mukti Fauj ( l a t e r
renamed the Mukti Bahini) of the Goevernment of Bangladesh
and the Occupation Army of the Government of P a k i s t a n ,
the l a t t e r c a r r i e d on i t s genocide of t h e Bengali race
with a systematic act of b u t c h e r y . Mascarenhas was oneof
the few j o u r n a l i s t s who were allowed by the Government
of Pakistan a conducted tour in s e l e c t e d pajrts of Bangidesh
for about 10 days in A p r i l , 1971, The t a s k assigned t o
them was t o r e p o r t t h e good work done by the Pak Army
in Bangladesh. After the harrowing e x p e r i e n c e , Mascarenhas
decided to give up h i s P a k i s t a n i c i t i z e n s h i p and remain
true to h i s conscience.81

Reporting in the Sundy Tines,82 London, on June 13,

1971, Mascarenhas wrote t h a t he was r e p e a t e d l y t o l d by senior
m i l i t a r y and c i v i l o f f i c e r s in Dacca and Comilla, " w'e
are determined t o cleanse East P a k i s t a n , onec and for a l l
of the t h r e a t of s e c e s s i o n , even if i t means k i l l i n g of
two m i l l i o n people and r u l i n g the province as a colony
for 30 y e a r s . "

a P u t t i n g h i s experience in a n u t s h e l l , Mascarenhas
 15

wrote, ••i'or s i x days as I t r a v e l l e d with t h e o f f i c e r s of the

9th Division Headquarters a t Comilla, I witnessed a t close
q u a r t e r s the e x t e n t of the k i l l i n g . I saw Hindus, hunted from
v i l l a g e t o "Uillage and door t o door, shot off hand a f t e r
a cursory ' s h o r t arm inspection* showed they were uncircumcised,
I have heard the screams of men bludgeoned t o death in the conrpovmii
of the C i r c u i t H o u s e . , . , in Comilla. I have been t r u c k l o a d s
of Other human t a r g e t s and those who had t h e cover of
darkness and curfew. I have witnessed t h e b r u t a l i t y of K i l l and
burn m i s s i o n s ' asthe array u n i t s , a f t e r c l e a r i n g out the
r e b e l s , piorsued the programme in the towns and the v i l l a g e s .

"I have seen whole v i l l a g e s devastated by ' p u n i t i v e a c t i o n , "

" And in the o f f i c e r s ' mess a t night I have l i s t e n e d
incrend, l o u s l y as otherwise brave and honourable men.,
proudly chewed over t h e d a y ' s k i l l ,

" How many did you g e t " ,

" The answers are seared in liry memory".
" Where are the Bengalis?" Mascarenhas asked h i s
e s c o r t s . In Dacca, he was t o l d t h a t they had gone to the
v i l l a g e s . But, in Cofliilla, '* in the c o u n t r y s i d e , there
were s t i l l no B e n g a l i s . Comilla town, l i k e Dacca, was
heavily s h u t t e r e d . And in 10 miles on the road to Laksham,
p a s t s i l e n t v i l l a g e s , the p e a s a n t s I saw could have
 16

have been c o u n t e d on t h e f i n g e r s of o o t h h a n d s .
" . . . Long s p i r a l s of smoke c o u l d be seen on a l l
sides "
Mescarenhas d e s c r i b e d how d e a t h s e n t e n c e s had
been pronounced over a g l a s s of coGonut m i l k and v i c t i m s
f o r immediate e x e c u t i o n h a d been s e l e c t e d by t h e f l i c k of
a pencil.
Yet/ Mascarenhas was t h e r e f o r o n l y 10 days and
he was a l l o w e d t o see o n l y a v e r y small p a r t of B a n g l a d e s h .
The g e n o c i d e , which was p r e - p l a n n e d , was e x e c u t e d w i t h ai
a s t o u n d i n g t h r o u g h n e s s for a b o u t n i n e months in a l l p a r t s
of B a n g l a d e s h . People were i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y t o r t u r e d and
k i l l e d , whole v i l l a g e s b u r n t and towns d e v a s t a t e d . Special
t a r g e t s of t h e mass k i l l i n g were: 83

1) The B e n g a l i m i l i t a r y men of t h e E.fl.R. and t h e

E . P . R . . . t h e p o l i c e , t h e Ansars and t h e Mujeihids.
2) The H i n d u s .
3) The Awami L e a g u e r s and P o l i t i c a l vrarkers and
l e a d e r s b e l o n g i n g t o o t h e r p a r t i e s which s u p p o r t e d
E a s t B e n g a l ' s demand f o r autbnoray and e v e n t u a l l y independence,
4) The s t u d e n t s - boys and g i r l s .
5) • The B e n g a l i i n t e l l e c t u a l s - such as p r o f e s s o r s ,
teachers, writers, etc.

A f t e r a p r e l i m i n a r y c o n ^ j i l a t i o n of f i g u r e s of the
 17

p e o p l e k i l l e d by t h e P a k i s t a n i Army, Prime M i n i s t e r Mujibur

Rahman gave an e s t i m a t e of t h r e e m i l l i o n k i l l e d d u r i n g
t h e d r e a d f u l g e n o c i d e i n h i s c o u n t r y . For months t o g e t h e r
many more m i l l i o n s roarraed from p l a c e t o p l a c e under
suo human c o n d i t i o n s w i t h o u t food and s h e l t e r . Those
who s t a y e d in t h e i r v i l l a g e s and some how s a v e d t h e i r
l i v e s ( e . g . b y t e m p o r a r i l y f l e e i n g and h i d i n g when t h e
Army u n i t s ^ame ) l i v e d under t h e c o n s t a n t danger of d e a t h
t o r t u r e and d i s h o n o u r . About 10 m i l l i o n p e r s o n s took r e f u g e
in I n d i a .

«^ith t h e b e s t of i t s e f f o r t s , t h e Government of
Bangladesh h a s p r o b a b l y f a i l e d i n i t s a t t e m p t t o c o n p i l e
even an approximate f i g u r e of v i c t i m s of t h e beastiality
of t h e Pak s o l d i e r s and o f f i c e r s b e c a u s e t h e women of
B a n g l a d e s h , l i k e t h e i r s i s t e r s in I n d i a and o t h e r c o u n t r i e s ,
g e n e r a l l y shudder t o come forward t o g i v e an a c c o u n t o:
t h e shame and t o r t i o r e i n f l i c t e d on them even when anonymity
i s a s s u r e d . But a l l a c c o u n t s a g r e e t h a t t h e f i g u r e was
s t a g g e r i n g . Never in h i s t o r y have t h e o f f i c e r s and men of
a p r o f e s s e d l y c i v i l i z e d army s u r p a s s e d t h e Pak a r m y ' s
r e c o r d of l u s t and b r u t a l i t y . 84

A g a i n s t t h i s f e r o c i o u s and b a r b a r o u s b u t v e r y
w e l l o r g a n i z e d and h i g h l y e q u i p p e d Pak Army was p o i s e d
t h e g a l l a n t Mukti B a h i n i (known in t h e i n i t i a l s t a g e s as
 18

the Mukti Pauj) of Bangladesh, Officers and men of the

E.B.k. and the E.p.R. the P o l i c e , the Ansars, the Mujahids
the s t u d e n t s and dther young men and women, p e a s a n t s and
persons belonging to other walks of l i f e , who s t y l e d them-
sfifelves Mukti Fauj u n i t s , r e v o l t e d in d i f f e r e n t p a r t s o f
Bangladesh. Many of them, p a r t i c u l a r l y a good number
of t h e E,B.R,, the E.p.R. ,and the Police u n i t s , r e v o l t e d
almost simultaneously on the f a t e f u l n i g h t of March 25-26
,1971, i t s e l f . They did not have proper armaments, nor
had they any adequatetraining - many of them were a t f i r s t
without any t r a i n i n g a t a l l . Yet, with only burning p a t r i o t i s n ,
shining courage and i n e x t i n g u i s h a o l e s p i r i t of self.sacrifice,
these brave young men and women l i b e r a t e d l a r g e areas
of Bangladesh in ^ a r c h - % ) r i l , 1971. Reverses n a t u r a l l y
followed in l a t e ^ r i a l and May and those of t h e Mukti
Bah4ni who survived came t o Mujibnagar and the Indian
border towns for r e o r g n i z a t i o n . Reorganized, t r a i n e d , acting
under a *^entral Command and supplied with some of t h e i r
badly needed ammunition and other equipment by I n d i a , the
Mukti Bahini, who now took to g u e r r i l l a t a c t i c s and
consnando o p e r a t i o n s , again gave a very good account of
themselves and brought v a s t a r e a s of t h e countryside and
 19

Some of the towns of Bangladesh under their control.

Every where they received whole- hearted cooperation
from the local population. By Novemioer, 1971, the number
of -trained Mukti Bahini personnel swelled to one lakh.
They staged some successful commando operations in the
85
heart of the city of Dacca itself. But fresh reinforce-
ments from West Pakistan to Bangladesh continued and
the Governments of China and the U.S.A. proved by their
action that they would go on helping Pakistan both
economically and militar-Jy for an indefinite period.
Although Pakistan was facing an economic disaster, there
was no immediate prospect of complete economic ruin
which alone, it appeared, would compel her to stop
the inhuman adventure in Bangladesh. The heroic people
of Bangaladesh and their valiant Mukti Bahini were prepared
to pay the great price for freedom for any length
of time. They, however , hoped to get active help from
friendly powers (particularly India) in their struggle
for li-jeration.

The Government of India, which by the end.of

March, 1971, had expressed its"sympathy for and
solidarity with 'se the people of Bangladesh, refrained
from directly involving itself in that country's War
of Liberation till the end of November, 1971, In the
 20

evening of Decembers, 1971, when the Indian prime

Minister and some other senior M i n i s t e r s were outside
the c a p i t a l , t h e P a k i s t a n i Air Force undertook a e r i a l
r a i d s on some of our airfields which were consideraoly
damaged as t h e r e s u l t of t h i s a c t i o n . The Government of
I n d i a announced t h a t i t was an a c t of aggression on the
p a r t of P a k i s t a n and in the e a r l y hours of i^ecember 4,
1971 , the Indian Armed Forces were in a c t i o n not only
in Bangladesh but also in the Western S e c t o r . Consequently
the Government of I n d i a offered diplomatic r e c o g n i t i o n
to t h e p e o p l e ' s Republic of Bangladesh on December 6,1971,
A J o i n t Command of the Indian Armed Forces and tine Mukti
Bahini of Bangladesh was s e t up on December 10,1971,

Swift was the j o i n t a c t i o n of the Indian Armed

Forces and the Mukti Bahini from December 4 t o Decemoer
16, 1971. Nover in previous epcounters with Pakistan d i d
the Indian s t r a t e g y worked out j o i n t l y by t h e Army,
the Navy and the Air Force prove so e f f e c t i v e . The
strongholds of the P a k i s t a n i Army, in Bangladesh f e l l t o
the hands of the j o i n t Command and proceeded towards the
c a p i t a l Kx c i t y within a few days r a p i d l y . The Indian Army
e n c i r c l e d Dacca from a l l d i r e c t i o n s of t h e i r operation
in Bangladesh. The Indian Air Force, by i t s highly s k i l f u l
and e f f i c i e n t r a i d s , had a l r e a c ^ demoralized the o f f i c e r s
 21

and men In t h e Eastern Command Headquarters of

Pakistan a t Bacca t o a considerable e x t e n t . The Indian
Navy s u c c e s s f u l l y operated both in the Ara]3ian Sea and
the Bay of Bengal and prevented t h e P a k i s t a n i ships from
bringing m i l i t a r y help t o t h e Pak Army in .Bangladesh.
The b r i l l i a n t p a r t played hy the Mukti Bahini g r e a t l y
f a c i l i t a t e d t h e v i c t o r i o u s completion of t h e war within
a short p e r i o d . They not only p a r t i c i p a t e d in the
a c t u a l p p e r a t i o n s but also guided the Indian t r o o p s
through the c o r r e c t and l e a s t inconvenient r o u t e s ,
helped the p a r ^ t r o o p e r s to descend a t the e x a c t l o c a t i o n s
and a s i i s t e d the Indian Forces in many other ways.

At l a s t , on Decemoer 16, 1971, the P a k i s t a n i

Forces under the command of General Niazi surrendered to
the J o i n t Command of the Indian Armed Forces and the
87
Miikti Bahini which was l e d by General Aurora, This h i s t o r i c
event brought an end t o the r u l e of P a k i s t a n in Bangladesh,
The Government and the people of Bangladesh, who
proclaimed the independence on March 26,1971, have decided
to observe December 16, every year, as Victory Day.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman r e t u r n e d t o

Banglaeesh from the P a k i s t a n i p r i s o n on January 10, 1972,
and was r e c e i v e d by h i s people with g r e a t j u b i l a t i o n . One
of h i s f i r s t a c t s was t o change the war-time p r e s i d e n t i a l type
 22

of Government t o a peace-time Parliamentary form.

He himself took over as Prime M i n i s t e r . Abu Syed Chaudhuri
became p r e s i d e n t of the newly born Repxiblic.-^he people
of Bangladesh, acting through t h e i r e l e c t e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
adopted a Democratic S o c i a l i s t and Secular C o n s t i t u t i o n
within a year of achieving freedom. They h e l d t h e i r
f i r s t general e l e c t i o n s on March 1, 1973, in which the
Awarai League, l e d by Mujibur Rahman, again came our with
very l a r g e m a j o r i t y .

The b i r t h of Bangladesh i s a g r e a t event in h i s t o r y .

I t i s expected t h a t the people of Bangladesh (the Bengali
nation) w i l l overcome the enormous economic difficultly
with with which they Jkheve been faced. There i s no doubt
t h a t t h i s new country has a very iitportant r o l e t o play
in the i n t e r n a t i o n a l a f f a i r s o£ our t i m e s .
 C H A P T E R - II 23

BANGLADESH SINCE INDEPENDENCE

( J a n u a r y 1972 t o J a n u a r y 1978)

Sheikh Muj ibur Rahman's Leadership

WHEN Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman r e t u r n e d t o Dacca

on January 10,1972/ i t was easy for him to r e t a i n the
P r e s i d e n t i a l system of Government, and concentrate a l l
powers in h i s hands. Most people in Bangladesh woulu
probably consider i t necessary for a temporary p e r i o d in
view of the p r e v a i l i n g chaos and disorder and t h e g i g a n t i c
t a s k s ahead, and welcome i t . The Bangirabandhu* s c o l l e a g u e s in
the Government and the party could do very l i t t l e to change
h i s d e c i s i o n . I t t e l l s volumes for Sheikh Mujib's
commitment to democracy t h a t the very next day he promulga-
t e d p r o v i s i o n a l C o n s t i t u t i o n a l Order, and introduced a
f u l l - f l e d g e d parliraentary form of govern^wnfent with himself as
the prime M i n i s t e r , True, i t did not diminish the Bangaba-
ndhu' s power and influence in r e a l terms. But i t c e r t a i n l y
made the democratic functioning of the Government, with the
executive r e s p o n s i b l e t o the l e g i i l a t u r e , p o s s i b l e .

Sheikh Mu j tb next turned h i s a t t e n t i o n to the f a r -

ming of a c o n s t i t u t i o n for t h e new Republic, The Bangladesh
Constituent Assembly Order, which was promulgated on March 23,
 24

1972, brought i n t o e x i s t e n c e a Constituent Assembly with

430 raerribers, who were e a r l i e r e l e c t e d t o t h e P a k i s t a n
2
National Assembly and t h e East P a k i s t a n P r o v i n c i a l Assembly,
A 34-raeinber C o n s t i t u t i o n Drafting Consnittee, with Karaal
Hossain^ Minister for Law and Parlianientary Affairs^ as
Chairman, was s e t up on J ^ r i l 1 1 , 1972. The Drafting Corami
t t e e con5)leted i t s work on October 1 1 , 1972, Six of i t s mem-
b e r s , however, did not agree with the majority view, and sub-
m i t t e d n o t e s of d i s s e n t . The Awami League p a r l i a m e n t a r y P a r t y
accepted 80 amendments t o t h e Draft B i l l . The f i n a l d r a f t of
the C o n s t i t u t i o n of the people(s Republic of Bangladesh was
adopted by the Constituent Assembly on Noveniber A, 1972,

The following Were the s a l i e n t f e a t u r e s of t h e new

3
Constitution,
(1) The C o n s t i t u t i o n c o n s i s t e d of XI p a r t s , c o n t a i n -
ing 153 A r t i c l e s and 4 Schedules,

(2) I t was a n a t i o n a l i s t , s e c u l a r , s o c i a l i s t and

democratic C o n s t i t u t i o n ,

(3) The C o n s t i t u t i o n s e t up a vinitary, independent,

sovereign Republic,known as the p e o p l e ' s Republic of Bangla-
desh.
(4) I t provided for a t r u l y Parliamentary Democracy.
 25

The president was a mere constitutional head. All executi-ve

powers belonged tothe Oouncll of Ministers headed by the
prime Minister. The Ck^uncil of Ministers was collectively
res-ponsible to the parliament (Jatiya Sangsad)^
(5) I t i s interesting t o note t h a t &Aen the f i r s t
constitution of Bangladesh put some r e s t r i c t i o n s on the power
of the Judiciary. Thus i t provided for Administrative Tribu-
nals to the formed by the J a t i y a Sangaad. Matters r e l a t i n g to
the terms and conditions of service of persons in the employ-
ment of the Republic and in respect of acquisition, acbnin^
t r a t i o n , management and disposal of any property vested in,
or managed by, the government would be placed under the the
j u r i s d i c t i o n of these Administrative Tribunals. There could
be no appeal to the Supremea Coxirt in duch matters.

(6) In order to strengthen the Government's control

over the bureaucracy, the Constitution provided t h a t , in some
cases, either the appointing auth»ority or the president
could dismiss,remove or reduce in rank a c i v i l servant with-
out assigning any reason.

(7) The Constitution provided t h a t a Member of P a r l i a -

ment would have to vacate h i s seat if he resigned from or voted
against the Party from which he was elected.
 26

Conamenting on the Ayiob C o n s t i t u t i o n of 1962,

Subrata Roy Chowdhury s a i d , "In r e a l i t y , i t i s n e i t h e r
a p r e s i d e n t i a l form i t i s a Unitary form of
government with the concentEation of t o t a l power in the
hand of one person."lO I t was a g a i n s t the d i c t a t o r i a l
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l s e t . u p of Ayub Khan t h a t Sheikh Mujib
and other p o l i t i c a l l e a d e r s of Bangladeshhad once waged
some of the b i g g e s t p o l i t i c a l movements ih East Bengal,
u l t i m a t e l y b r i n g i n g about the downfall of the d i c t a t o r .
I t i e m a i n s one of t h e most t r a g i c i r o n i e s of h i s t o r y t h a t
the above very a p t remark made by Roy CSnowdhury about the
Ayxib C o n s t i t u t i o n of Pakistan of 1962 iji could be applied
with a t l e a s t equal force t o t h e Mujib C o n s t i t u t i o n of
Bangladesh of 1975, In h i s i n p a t i e n c e t o grab more and
more powers, and make himself the l i f e - l o n g r x u l e r of
Bangladesh, Mujib forgot what Fazlxir Huq had once t o l d
M.A. J i n n a h , the founder of P a k i s t a n , " The genius of the
Bengali race r e v o l t s a g a i n s t a u t o c r a c y , " 11

a i e i k h Miijib forgot i t a l l , and went on with h i s

r a s h and mad programme to c o n c e n t r a t e a l l c o n s t i t u t i o n a l
and p o l i t i c a l powers in h i s hands,now by means sanctioned
by the Po\arth Amendment, On February 24, 1975, h e , a s the

p r e s i d e n t , issued an Order introducing the o n e - p a r t y

XX system in Bangladesh, The p a r t y was t o be known as the
 27

the Bangladesh Krlshak Sramik Awaml League(BAKSAL)•

The p a r t y was t o be headed by the P r e s i d e n t himself.
Me would have a l l powers t o organize the p a r t y , All
Coromittees of the Awami League would henceforward be
regarded as Committees of the BAKSAL. Seats In the
J a t l y a Sangsad occupied by the Opposition members were
t o remain vacant u n t i l new e l e c t i o n s took p l a c e , p r e s i d e n t
Mujibur Rahman j u s t i f i e d the s t e p by saying t h a t i t was
necessary for t h e proper in^jlementation of t h e foiar p r i -
a c i p l e s of t h e Bangladesh Constitution* namely. Democracy
Socialism* Secularism and Nationalism.

Ttie way the governmental pxiblicity machinery was

now employed t o maintain and enhance the Bahgabandhu's
charisma c l e a r l y i n d i c a t e s t h a t i b i s e a r l i e r s p e l l on the
people was r a p i d l y fading o u t . The transformation of Mujib
the democrat t o Mujib the d i c t a t o r must have been shocking
t o the p o l i t i c a l l y conscious,very i n t e l l i g e n t and h i g h l y
s e n s i t i v e people of Bangladesh, who had only a s h o r t while
ago made g r e a t s a c r i f i c e s for l i b e r t y and e q u a l i t y . I t must
a l s o have been a stunning blow for l e a d e r s of different
p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s ( the Awami League not e x c l u d e d ) , which
had made s i g n i f i c a n t c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o the c o u n t r y ' s l i b e r a -
t i o n , For the time being, however, theere appeared to be
 28

very l i t t l e public p r o t e s t . 12P o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s apparently

thought t h a t discretion was the b e t t e r p a r t of valour, and
kept quiet; although t h i s silence cost them e x t i n c t i o n .
Even Maulana Bhasani showed signs of acquiescence,A large
number of student and youthr leaders and i n t e l l e c t u a l s
f e l l in linem and publicly welcomed the Bangabandhu's
"Second Revolution",13 The story was, however, different
with the J a t i y a Samajtantrik Dal(J.S,D.),

By large, the J.S.D. was the radical breakway group

from the Awami League, i t consisted of those fiery student
and youth leaders who had pbyed a v a l i a n t r o l e in the War
of Liberation, and who, after the Liberation,wanted the
quickest possible transformation to true socialism. They
had the profoundest respect for the Bangabandhu, but r e g r e t t -
ed what they regarded as Sheikh Mujib's unholy alliance with
the new bourgeois, who were determined to continue the old
policy of exploitation, and deprive the -^ast majority of
people of the f r u i t s of independence. I t was with t h i s J,S.D,
t h a t president Mujibur Rahmandhad h i s e a r l i e s t confrontation.
The J,S.D, refused to merge with the BAKSAL.Afl a consequence,
the J , s , D , members of Parliament l o s t t h e i r s e a t s ,

Mujib, with h i s ejqjerience, should have known b e t t e r ,

but thought t h a t he could permanently rule the country by
 29

pursuing a p o l i c y of rods and axes ( fas<tis, in t h e Latin

term) . All p o l i t i c a l a g i t a t i o n s and demonstrations were
d e c l a r e d to be i l l e g a l , and the p r e s s was subjected t o
r i g o r o u s c o n t r o l . Many j o u r n a l s , weeklies and d a i l i e s
went out of c i r c u l a t i o n . Mujib f u r t h e r t i g h t e n e d h i s hold
over the n a t i o n a l p a r t y arid the government by i s s u i n g a :^•
new C o n s t i t u t i o n of the BAKSAL on June 6,1975.

The i d e a l s of the p a r t y , as i n s e r t e d in the Const-

i t u t i o n , were, i n d e e d , l o f t y , ©ley were:

(a)inplementation of the four o b j e c t i v e s of t h e Republic,

namely. Nationalism, Socialism, Secularism and Democracy;
(b) establishment of a s o c i e t y free from e x p l o i t a t i o n ;
(c) in^jrovement of t h e standards of l i v i n g of people^;
(d) g e n e r a t i o n of more enployment;and
(e) non-alignment and support t o movements a g a i n s t r a c i a l i s m
and c o l o n i a l i s m in t h e f i e l d of e x t e r n a l p o l i c y .

The Ctonstitution provided t h a t the p r e s i d e n t of

the Republic, who was also the Chairman of t h e p a r t y , would
head the Working Committee (the Executive of the p a r t y ) ,
the General Committee and t h e Council (the h i g h e s t boc^ of
the party) • The V i c e - p r e s i d e n t , the prime Minister and
•n
Other Ministers would hold inportant positions in these
 30

Committees, The Chairman of the p a r t y would nominate

a l l members of t h e Working Committee, one -Jthird of the
members of the c e n t r a l Committee and f i f t y members of
the Council. He was also t o appoint the Secjretary-General
s e c r e t a r i e s and other o f f i c e - b e a r e r s of thd p a r t y .

The C o n s t i t u t i o n provided for frontjs of the BAKSAL

among the p e a s a n t s (the Bangladesh Krishak L e a g u e ) , i n d u s t -
r i a l workers ( t h e Bangladesh Sramik Leagu^) and women (the
Bangladesh Mahlla League) of t h e c o u n t r y . I t a l s o provided
for the u n i t s of the p a r t y in d i s t r i c t s , s i i b - d i v i s i o n s and
I

lower levels. The control of the party Chai^rman was kept

intact every where. All citizens of Bangladesh^ who were 4t
I

l e a s t 13 Jtears o l d , could be members of th^ BAKSAL.

Mujib wanted to keep the l e a d e r s ar^d workers of ttee

newly-formed n a t i o n a l p a r t y contented by l i b e r a l l y d i s t r i -
buting loaves of o f f i c e . With t h i s in viewj he announced
on June 19, 1975, t h a t the 19 d i s t t i c t s of Bangladesh would
be d i s t r i c t ) . E a c h d i s t r i c t would be under the charge of a
Governor, The D i s t r i c t Governor would be ai^pointed by the
P r e s i d e n t , and %«>uld be r e s p o n s i b l e t o him; The q u a l i f i c a t -
ions to become a D i s t r i c t Governor were t h a t i^i he would
have t o be a member of the J a t i y a Sangsad and a member ofthe
BAKSAL. Before appointment,he would r e c e i v e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
t r a i n i n g for one month. He would be assiste^d by an Administ-
r a t i v e Council, Members of the D i s t r i c t Adi^iinistrative Council
 31

would be s e l e c t e d by the p r e s i d e n t from among the

party cadres.

The p r e s i d e n t also announced on th^ same day

t h a t 70 members of the Central Committee would have
take charge of t h e 70 mxilttpurpose c o o p r a t i v e s to be
soon formed by him. He expressed the hope t h a t t h e s e
raultipTJirpose c o o p e r a t i v e s o c i e t i e s * with tahe help of
the new a d m i n i s t r a t i v e s e t - up , would be able t o usher
in t r u e socialism by r e p l a c i n g t h e c o l o n i a l system.
The Party and the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n were t h u s completely
merged in Bangladesh,

For t h e freedom-loving and p o l i t i c a l l y conscious

people of Bangladesh, the new c o n s t i t u t i o n a l and p o l i t i c a l
s^t, -up became in many r e s p e c t s worse than the system
introduced by Ayub Khan, To the end, the Ayub a d m i n i s t r a t i -
on provided some o u t l e t for the Opposition p a r t i e s t o
v e n t i l a t e t h e i r v i e w s . Mujib's new system admitted no
o p p o s i t i o n ; no expression of p e o p l e ' s grievances was
considered l e g i t i m a t e ; communication between the people
and t h e government was allowed to be l o s t . The feedback
loop bacame non- e x i s t e n t .

To change from a l i b e r a l system of government,

introduced immediateay a f t e r l i b e r a t i o n when the country
was in the midst of chaos and u n c e r t a i n t i e s , t o a d i c t a -
t o r i a l form of government with the c o n c e n t r a t i o n of a l l
 32

a l l powers in the hands of a s i n g l e i n d i v i d u a l when

t h e chaos was a t l e a s t c p n p a r a t i v e l y reduqed, u n c e r t a -
i n t i e s had considerably passed away, and, by and l a r g e ,
the poeple had come to b e l i e v e t h a t t h e r e was no inrnw
e d i a t e danger t o t h e coiontry's independence was, in any
c a s e , bad p o l i t i c a l s t r a t e g y . Why had Mujib to do t h i s ?
The answer l i e s in h i s s i n g u l a r i n a b i l i l ^ t o r i s e t o the
occasion, and meet the challenges thrown by the c o u n t r y ' s
continuously d e t e r i o r a t i n g s o c i a l and ecohomic c o n d i t i o n s
over the p a s t t h r e e and a h a l f y e a r s , Hie p o l i c y outputs
of Sheikh Mujib's Government and t h e Awamlj League f a i l e d
to generate t h e miniroxim suport necessary for the popular
and s t a b l e b a s i s of any a d m i n i s t r a t i o n . Mujib very o b v i -
o u i l y became power-drunk. He thought t h a t the c o n c e n t r a -
t i o n of a l l powers in h i s hands was the anjswer to h i s
r a p i d l y waning p o p u l a r i t y . Unwittingly, Mujib b u i l t a
crushing overload for h i s syste.a. L i t t l e did he imagine
t h a t i t might l i t e r a l l y break on h i s own head.

What was, then the p i c t u r e of the c o u n t r y ' s s o c i a l

and economic problems, the i n p u t s , which f^ujib f a i l e d to
solve or cope with? The p o r t r a i t was t h a t of an u t t e r l y
dishonovirable new-rich or bourgeois of Bar^gladesh, whose
i n p a t i e n t , unlimited and unchecked greed was probably a
r e c o r d for any country, on the one hand, a|nd a continously
e x p l o i t e d and r a p i d l y impovershed population on the o t h e r .
 33

I t was t h i s a s p i r a n t bourgeois which had formed the

l e a d e r s h i p of the Awami League. I t was proved soon
a f t e r the l i b e r a t i o n t h a t they had been f i g h t i n g with
the P a k i s t a n i b o u r g e o i s - f e u d a l - b u r e a u c r a t i c r u l i n g
e l i t e for t h e i r own good, not t o share the f r u i t s of
freedom with the people,whom they had e a r l i e r intpelled
t o make the g r e a t e s t s a c r i f i c e s t o free " Sonar Bangla"
from the P a k i s t a n i r u l e and e x p l o i t a t i o n , ^eing himself
a member of t h i s e l i t e , Mu^ib could only f r e q u e n t l y r e s o r t
t o r h e t o r i c . I t was a s h a t t e r e d economy t h a t Mujib had
i n h e r i t e d from the P a k i s t a n i r u l e r s . The economic ana s o c i a l
c o n d i t i o n s went a&n on worsening a t an alarming speed,
Mujib did not make any s e r i o u s or honest attempt to lead
h i s people on the road to p r o g r e s s .

To a r r i v e a t the above c o n c l u s i o n s , i t i s not a t

a l l necessary to understimate Sheikh Mujib's grave problems.
When Bangladesh became i n d e p e n d e n t , i t r e a l l y q u a l i f i e d to
become the p o o r e s t among the l a r g e c o u n t r i e s of the world.
There had been no increase in per c a p i t a income in r e a l
terms during the long P a k i s t a n i r u l e . The cyclone of Nove-
mber, 1970, had taken a t o i l of 15,000 l i v e s , and shaken
the economy to i t s r o o t s . The War of L i b e r a t i o n had k i l l e d
t h r e e m i l l i o n , uprooted lOmillion, and l a i d the economy
 34

waste.

Yet the 75 m i l l i o n people the Bangabandhu had

come t o l e a d were c u l t u r a l l y and l i n g u i s t i c a l l y homoge-
neous, and even proud. Proper c o n t r o l and development
of the huge water r e s o u r c e s of t h e country(for which
the lubpt. adequate foreign aid would be a v a i l a b l e ) could,
over a few y e a r s , t u r n the chronic food d e f i c i t into
an exportable s u r p l u s . Neither t h e bxireaucpacy nor the
common people were wanting in b r a i n s or c o n s c i o u s n e s s .
What was needed was the w i l l and determinibion on the
p a r t of the r u l e r s - in popular e x p e c t a t i o h / o£ Sheikh
Mujib in p a r t i c u l a r . I t i s t h i s human f a i l u r e which has
proved to be most s e r i o u s in the s h o r t h i s t o r y of Bangl-
adesh.
A few f i g u r e s w i l l demonstrate how fast** the
Bangladesh economy d e t e r i o r a t e d in s p i t e of Sheikh Mujib's
promise to s u b s t a n t i a l l y r e v i v e the economr^ within t h r e e
yeajsofo h i s coming to power. The Gross National Product
in 1972-72 was 12-14 p . c , lower than t h a t in 1969-70. Per
c a p i t a income d e c l i n e d by about 20 p»c, during t h i s period
The F i r s t Five-year plan commenced in i ^ r i l , 1973, But,
a f t e r an investment of about Taka 1,500 c r p r e s by the
middle of 1975, the G.N.P. and the per c a p i t a income rema-
med much lower than the f i g u r e s reached in 1969-70, Foodgrain
production d e c l i n e d from 11,92 m i l l i o n ton^ in 1969-70
t o 11.48 m i l l i o n t o n s in 1974-75. The P a k i s t a n i r u l e r s weee
 35

c r i t i c i z e d for not paying attention to the i r r i g a t i o n pote-

n t i a l i t i e s ±ot East Bengal. I r r i g a t i o n projects remained
neglected in independent Bangladesh, The-overall industrial
production was also much lower than the preindependence
figures. The estimated loss of production in the nationalized
sector in 1974-75 due to the underutilization of i n s t a l l e d
capacity in j u t e , cotton t e x t i l e s , sugar, s t e e l , paper and
paper -board, f e r t i l i z e r and chemical industries was a
colossal sum of Taka 550 crores. By the middle of 1975,
inflation reached astronomical proportions, and prices of
e s s e n t i a l commodities increased nearly five times the corres-
ponding figures in 1969-70, Deficit financing since independ-
ence stood at about Talca 400 c r o r e s . In 1974-74, the nationa-
lized sector borroed an additional sura of Taka 150 crores.
Export earnings in 1974-75 were l e s s than Taka 300 crores
against an in^jort requirement of nearly Taka, 1,000 crores.
Smuggling was ranpant. At l e a s t one- t h i r d of the labour force
was unen5)loyed. Pamjfcne stalked the land# 15

Much of the economic miseries had to be explained jjy the

rapid growth in population, which showed no signs of abate-
ment even after independence. But a much more serious problem
was that of corruption- absolute, tonchecked and xinlimited
corruption- not only a t a l l o f f i c i a l l e v e l s - but, in fact, at
a l l levels of the ruling e l i t e of the new Republic. Misappro-
p r i a t i o n and non-utilization of even foreign grants and aids
became so chronic t h a t many aid-giving governments insisted on
 36

making t h e i r o%m arrangements for t h e management of aid

and the d i s t r i b u t i o n of r e l i e f goods. Thc^ Red Cross
S o c i e t i e s are u s u a l l y above such c r i t i c i s m s . But, in
Bangladesh, even t h e l o c a l Red Cross Society subjected
i t s e l f t o vehement a t t a c k s *

Nor was Mujib able to c o n t r o l the law and order

s i t u a t i o n . Repeated appeals and o r d e r s for t h e surrender
of i l l e g a l l y possessed arms(acquired by d i f f e r e n t elements
mainly during the War of tiiberation) • went in v a i n . At l e a s t
10 p o l i c e p o s t s in d i f f e r e n t p a r t s of the country were r a i d e d
during June and J u l y , 1973, In most c a s e s , tphe r a i d e r s were
iiable to escape with large q u a n t i t i e s of arras and ammvmition.
The i l l e g a l l y possessed arms and ammxinition were f r e e l y used
t o e l i m i n a t e p o l i t i c a l opponents. By March, 1975, i t was
e s t i m a t e d t h a t about four thousand members of the Awami
League including five members o f . P a r l i a m e n t were k i l l e d by
f o r c e s of the Right and the L e f t , Nor was t h e method adopted
by the Government in dealing with the t e r r o r i s t s very illum-
i n a t i o n . Not only were persons suspected to be belonging t o
the a n t i - s o c i a l forces a r r e s t e d , they were, in f a c t , brutally
t o r t u r e d a f t e r a r r e s t , Sir^J Sikdar, t h e leader of t h e p r o -
pfik^Jig "Sarba Hara Dal" ( t h e p a r t y of those who have l o s t
a l l ) ^ was k i l l e d in p o i i c e custody, Mujib also made a l l
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l means of expression of d i s a f f e c t i o n with tlae
r u l i n g regime impossible. One of t h e immediate causes of the
 37

the Proclamation of Emergency in December, 1974, was to

p r e v e n t the l a r g e - s c a l e laboxir movements, which five
labour o r g a n i z a t i o n s proposed to s t a r t frort January 18,
1975. Mujib, however, never applied the powers Act of
June, 1974 , a g a i n s t the hoarders and backmarketers. 17

Discontent against Mujib was, t h e r e f o r e , fast

spreading Forces, which t r i e d t o take advantage of the
popular d i s i l l u s i o n m e n t , did not a l l belong t o the extreme
14ft; a l a r g e number of them belonged to the extreme Right.
I t was a mistake on the p a r t of many f o r e i g n e r s including
Indians to b e l i e v e t h a t coramun41ism in Bangladesh was dead
with the c o u n t r y ' s independence,Comtniin41 ism in Bangladesh
had very deeprooted socio-economic foundation and could not
be wished away because of a sudden spxirt of very ten^orary
popular enthusiasm, Stask r e a l i t i e s soon reappeared, and
even the r e s p o n s i b l e c i r c l e s within the Aw<pii League s t a r t e d
doxibting Indian bona f i d e s . I n d i a was made t h e scapegoat
for a l l t h e i l l s Bangladesh was suffering from. The u l t r a -
Right and the u l t r a - Left f o r c e s , j o i n e d by a good number
of conparative c e n t r i s t s , f r e e l y accused Mujib of a c t i n g
as a puppet of t h e Indian o v e r l o r d s . Not many in Bangladesh
r e a l l y thought t h a t a f e d e r a t i o n or a confederation with
P a k i s t a n was p o s s i b l e or even d e s i r a b l e under the changed
circximstances. But, with s u r p r i s i n g r a p i d i t y , many veered
 38

roxind the view t h a t the independent Government in Dacca

should be d e f i n i t e l y a n t i - I n d i a n and at l e a s t broadly
p r o - P a k i s t a n i . The extrene Left forces wanted the Gover-
nment to be pro-Peking and, t h e r e f o r e , p r o - P a k i s t a n i ,

Yet t h e r e i s no evidence t o sxibstantiate the view

t h a t by August, 1975, c o n d i t i o n s in Bangladesh were r i p e
for a broadbased popular r e v o l u t i o n . People in Bangladesh
were c e r t a i n l y disenchanted with the sheikh Shaheb, The
younger o f f i c e r s and men of t h e Bangladesh armed forces
shared the popular d i s i l l u s i o n m e n t . But the people in
general did not v i s u a l i z e an immediate a l t e r n a t i v e , V e r y
few in Bangladesh could r e a l l y t h i n k of mxirdering the
Bangabandhu and h i s family members.

The r e b e l l i o n which ousted Mujib was not a popular

r e v o l u t i o n . I t was an array coup -and i t was not an array
coup in the usual s e n s e . Before d i s c u s s i o n the n a t u r e of
t h e coup of Aggust 15,1975, i t w i l l be useful a t stage to
analyse the con5)osition of the Bangladesh armed f o r c e s ,
t h e t r i n t e r n a l d i s s e n s i o n s and t h e i r r e l a t i o n s with the
Bangabandhu.

When Bangladesh «became independeat, i t armed

f o r c e s mainly meant t h e Mukti B a h i n i , The Bengali members
of the P a k i s t a n i armed forces formed only a small p a r t of
i t , A l a r g e number of them were s t i l l und^r d e t e n t i o n in
 39

Pakistan, Top positions in the armed forces |of Bangladesh

naturally went to the leaders of the Muktt Bahini, who i t
must be admitted, had made the greatest contributions to
t h e i r country's independence. I t could not, however, be
seriously expected that the senior Bengali c|fficers of the
Pakistani armed forces, when they were r e p a t r i a t e d from
Pakistan, would be contented with the conpar*atively junior
positions offered to them.

The Bangladesh Army resented the p r e f e r e n t i a l t r e a t -

ment the Bangabandhu's Government meted out to the paramilitary
forces, Cttie Raksni Bahini, coroposed of the $o-called pro-
Mujib forces,came in for the most sci*»ntilluting criticism
because of the special favours bestowed upon i t s members.
The Bangladesh Army disliked the fact t h a t , in spite of the
existence of the paramilitary forces, they should be deployed
in the anti-smuggling and other thankless anld tedious opera-
tions along the long and d i f f i c u l t borders. \Tt\ey did not favour
the large-scale appointraen"ll^1i to the paramilitary forces like
the Bangladesh Riffes when appointments to the regular military
forces were r e s t r i c t e d . 18

The younger officers of the Bangladejsh armed forces came

into d i r e c t conflict with the p o l i t i c a l a u t h o r i t i e s including
the Bangabandhu when the l a t t e r entrusted th^m with the task of
bringing the a n t i - s o c i a l forces like smugglers, hoarders and
 40

blackmarketers t o book. To t h e i r u t t e r d i s g u s t , they

frequently found t h a t a n t i - s o c i a l elements, r e s p o n s i b l e
for t h e g r e a t m i s e r i e s of the p e o p l e , were sought to be
p r o t e c t e d by the p o l i t i c a l a u t h o r i t i e s . On a number of
o c c a s i o n s , the Bangabandhu himself intervened and asked
t h e younger o f f i c e r s including Major Dalim h o t t o c r e a t e
d i f f i c u l t i e s for persons belonging to the Awami League
( l a t e r the BAKSAL).Possessed with a p a t r i o t i c fervour,
and s i n g u l a r l y l a t k i n g in the p o l i t i c a l f o r e s i g h t , a group
of young o f f i c e r s in the Bangladesh Array found Sheikh
Mujib's a d m i n i s t r a t i o n i n t o l e r a b l e .

Major Dalim,in p a r t i c u l a r , also nursed a personal

grievance a g a i n s t Mujib himself. I t a l l o r g i n a t e d with the
Bangabandhu's r e f u s a l to do j u s t i c e wheh Dalim's young and
b e a u t i f u l wife was i n s u l t e d and probably molested by the
son of the Bangladesh Red Cross Society chief (a personal
fjtiend of the Sheikh) . I t was Dalim who found himself
dismissed. 19

What in5)arted s p e c i a l i t y t o the coup of August 15,

1975, was t h a t the senior o f f i c e r s of t h e Bangladesh Armed
i

Forces were conpetely ignorant of the p l o t . The p l a n was

c a r r i e d out with utmost secrecy and considerably efficiency
by seven young o f f i c e r s , L t . C o l . Abdur Rashid being the
s e n i o r n o s t among them. Uie coup was s u c c e s s f u l l y staged in
 41

in the e a r l y hours of August 15 ,1975* The small

contingent l e d by Dalim,which r a i d e d Sheikh Mujib's
r e s i d e n c e , b r u t a l l y k i l l e d the Bangabandhu and a l l
a v a i l a b l e members of h i s family including v^omen and
children.

A g r e a t l i f e in modern h i s t o r y thuj^ came t o a

most ignoble end. The country was c e r t a i n l y stunned, but
immediately, t h e r e was no p u b l i c condemnation. I t must
be remembered t h a t the people of Bangladesh, p a r t i c u l a r l y
the s t u d e n t s , had never lacked in courage t o face the
batons and the b u l l e t s of the P a k i s t a n i r u l e r s . If,after
t h e Bangabandhu's death, they did not make any s e r i o u s
a t t e n ^ t even to stage p r o t e s t demonstrations, t o observe
n a t i o n a l condolence, the conclusion i s inescapable t h a t
they did not consider the cause worthy enough.
 42
II
Zia-ur-Rahman•s header sh ip

THE coup, which took the senior Army g e n e r a l s and p o l i t i c a l

l e a d e r s by s u r p r i s e , t h r e w open the question of l e a d e r s h i p o±
the country and the armed f o r c e s . Nobody could doubt t h a t the
r e a l power would henceforth belong to the armed f o r c e s ,
but t h e g e n e r a l s themselves were conscious of the need for
maintaining a c i v i l i a n appearance of the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n .
Khondakar Mushtaq Ahmed, a Minister in Mujib's Government
and known for h i s along p o l i t i c a l and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e experience,
was chosen as the p r e s i d e n t . Most M i n i s t e r s of the e a r l i e r
regime r e c e i v e d assignments in the new a d m i n i s t r a t i o n too,20

The Choice of the new Army Chief proved to be a more

i n t r i c a t e problem. Besides the- inciambent,Maj-Gen.3afiullah,
Lt.Col.Abdur Rashid, the senior coup leaaer,Lt.Gen,Wasiuddin,
the Ambassador to Kuwait, and B r i g a d i e r Shefayet Jamal, the
Garrison Commander in Dacca/ were some of the s e r i o u s
21
contenders for the high and p r e s t i g i o u s o f f i c e . Ultimately,
the choice f e l l upon Maj,Gen, Zia-ur-Rahman,22 His legendary
r o l e in the War of L i b e r a t i o n , h i s n o n - c o n t r o v e r s i a l nature and
the armed forces were among Z i a ' s assex-s at the time of i h i s
selection,
Zia-ur-Rahman, l i k e other senior Array l e a d e r s , had
no connexion with the coup. There i s nothing to i n d i c a t e t h a t
he approved ofthe g h a s t l y murder. In f a c t , i t was r e p o r t e d
t h a t he had taken Maj.Gen.Safiullah, the previous Army
 43

C h i e f , t o t a s k for not taking note of t h e developments

and for nor doing t h e needful t o help Mujlb. Once in the
l i m e l i g h t , howeverp h i s ambitions became soaEng. He soon
found t h a t , w i l l y - n i l l y , he had t o make a l l i a n c e with the
anti-Mujib forces in order t o c o n s o l i d a t e h i s own p o s i t i o n

Besides Maj.Gen.Safiullah. Brigadier Khaled Musharef

was another senior army o f f i c e r , who extremely d e t e s t e d
Z i a ' s meteoric r i s e t o power. 2 i a offered him the rank of
the Chief of General Staff, b u t placed him under the Chief
of Defence Staff, Maj .Gen, K h a l i l u r Rahman, OSie newly c r e a t -
ed p o s t of the Chief of Defence Staff had no p a r a l l e l in the
Indian armed f o r c e s .

The c o n f l i c t between the two ambitions g e n e r a l s

soon manifested i t s e l f with Khaled's defiance of Z i a ' s
o r d e r s and r e f u s a l t o go t o Chittagong as the Garrison
Commander. 23 Khaled took note of t h e r e a p p r a i s a l of Mujib
r o l e made by a s e c t i o n of the Dacca s t u d e n t s . Disturbed by
what appeared t o be the p e r p e t u a t i o n of m i l i t a r y r u l e , t h e y
decided t o condemn the d a s t a r d l y murder, and condole Mujib's
death a t t h i s l a t e s t a g e . They, in f a c t , staged some demonst-
r a t i o n s in t h e month of October,1975. There were a l s o s e c t i o n s
in t h e Bangladesh armed f o r c e s , who h o n e s t l y considered t h a t
Zia-iar-Rahman had brought the Bangladesh -(^rmy g r e a t disgrace
24
by protection the murderers, and apparently coming to power
with their heop.
 44

Brigadier Khaled Musharef c o n s o l i d a t e d the diverse

elements opposed t o Z i a ' s r u l e , and staged a coup with app-
a r e n t success on November 3 , 1975.Khaled strrested Zia and
of h i s c l o s e a s s o c i a t e s including Vice-Air Marshal Taiyer,
the CJhief of t h e Air Staff, The i: seven Majors r e s p o n s i b l e
for the overthrow of Mujib were a l s o a r r e s t e d , b u t , in an
obvious bid t o n e u t r a l i z e o p p o s i t i o n t o him, Khaled agreed
25
t o send them abroad, Z i a ' s s u p p o r t e r s , however, squarely
turned the t a b l e s on Khaled on November 6 - 7 , 1 9 7 5 , k i l l i n g
him and many of h i s s u p p o r t e r s . Since then, Maj.Gen.Zia-ur-
Rahman has been in e f f e c t i v e power in B a n g l a d e s h , f i r s t as
the most important Deputy Chief M a r t i a l Law Administrator,
then as the Chief Martial Law Administratory^nd u l t i m a t e l y
as the P r e s i d e n t ,

A.M.Sayem, the former Chief J u s t i c e , who was chosen

as the p r e s i d e n t by t h e Khaled group, was r e t a i n e d in h i s
p o s t by Zia-ur-Rahman and h i s s u p p o r t e r s . Zia knew t h a t he
had to proceed by s t a g e s , and agreed t o become the Army
Chief and only one of t h e Deputy Chief M a r t i a l Law Adminis-
t r a t o r s ; the Navy Chief, Mosharaff Hossain,and the Air Force
Chief, G.M, Towab, being the o t h e r two e l e v a t e d t o the
same p o s i t i o n . The t h r e e Service Chiefs agreed t h a t t h e
P r e s i d e n t would function as the Chief Martial Law Adminis-
t r a t o r y Ttie Service Chiefs formed t h e P r e s i d e n t i a l Advisory
Council. General Osmani was removed from t h e o o s t of Defence
 45

Adviser. The P r e s i d e n t d i s s o l v e d t h e Parliament and the

Council of M i n i s t e r s declared t h a t the country would be
governed according to the M a r t i a l Law r e g u l a x t i o n s , but
pledged t h a t e l e c t i o n s would be h e l d by February 1977,
and power would be t r a n s f e r r e d to p e o p l e ' s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
thereafter (a promise made e a r l i e r by K.M. Ahmed's Govern-
ment) . While the p r e s i d e n t himself r e t a i n e d the p o r t f o l i o s
of Defence and Foreign A f f a i r s , Maj,Oen.Zta-ur-Rahman was
e n t r u s t e d with Home A f f a i r s , Finance, Industry and Commerce,
J u t e , Information and Broadcasting, Education,Scientific
and Technical Research and Atomic Energy, Conparatively
minor p o r t f o l i o s were a l l o t t e d t o t h e oth<fer two Deputy
26
Chief Martial Law Administrators, Bangladesh was divided
into seven Martial Law zones, each zone under the charge of
a Zonal Martial Law Administrator,

Lt,Col,Farooq, one of the young officers who had

overthDown Mujib, later explained that Mujib had in any
case to be killed, because he had been drawing the country
I

away from t h e I s l a m i c i d e o l o g y , and p r a c t i c a l l y t u r n i n g ttee

27
c o u n t r y i n t o a s t a t e l l i t e of I n d i a and t h e S o v i e t Union,
I t i s a mark of Z i a - u r - R a h m a n ' s P o l i t i c a l acvxmen t h a t he
r e a d i l y r e a l i z e d t h a t ii^ t h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n of h i s power
and t h e p e r p e t u a t i o n of h i s r u l e depended on t h e s u p p o r t
he would be a b l e t o r e c e i v e from t h e communal and p r o -
P a k i s t a n i f o r c e s . He c o r r e c t l y a s s e s s e d t h a t t h e socialist
 46
and p r o g r e s s i v e forces ( l i k e the J a t i y a Samjtantrik Dal
which had considerably helped him s e i z e power) had not y e t
been able to e s t a b l i s h a broad base among the masses. Wiih-
out the s l i g h t e s t h e s i t a t i o n , the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n socialism
and secularism two of the most important p r i j i c i p l e s formally
proclaimed by Sheikh Mujib Rahman's government, Z i a - u r -
Rahman's foreign p o l i c y ( a n t i - I n d i a n , a n t i - S o v i e t , p r o -
P a k i s t a n i and pro-American) , too*; has been e s s e n t i a l l y the
r e f l e c t i o n of h i s domestic p o l i c y .

The r e v e r s a l of Sheikh Mujib*s s o c i a l i s t (half-hearted

and i n e f f e c t i v e asthey were) and a n t i - P a k i s t a n i P o l i c i e s
s t a r t e d soon a f t e r the coup of August, 1975, The nev; p o l i c y
was speeded up a f t e r the November coups. Moat of the i n d u s t r i e s
n a t i o n a l i z e d by Mujib*s government were d e n a t i o n a l i z e d , and
con^jensation was paid to t h e i r e r s t w h i l e owners—most of them
being P a k i s t a n i s , The c e i l i n g on investment in t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r
was r a i s e d from Taka 3 c r o r e s to Taka 10 c r o r e s . Unlike Sheikh
Mujib's government, Z i a ' s Government encouraged l a r g e - s c a l e
foreign investment.
Policy towards persons, who had c o l l a b o r a t e d with
the pak regime during t h e War of L i b e r a t i o n and helped them
in the genocide, unaerwent a complete change under the new
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , p r e s i d e n t Sayem's new year g i f t to the nation
on January 1, 1976, was an Ordinance, which r e p e a l e d
the Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribuiial ) Order of
1972, The Ordinance provided t h a t a l l t r i a l s or ox:her procee-
dings pending under the Order of 1972 before any t r i b u n a l .
 47

m a g i s t r a t e or c o u r t and a l l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s or other
proceedings by or before any p o l i c e o f f i c e r or o t h e r
a u t h o r i t y under t h a t Order would a b a t e , and not be
proceeded w i t h . The Ordlanance fxirther provided for appeal
a g a i n s t any c o n v i c t i o n or sentence already passed by any
t r i b i a n a l , m a g i s t r a t e or court under the Order of 1972.
Maj,Gen.2ia-ur-Rahraan, one of the heroes of t h e War of
L i b e r a t i o n , thus cemented h i s a l l i a n c e with communal and
p r o - P a k i s t a n i f o r c e s , which bad a c t e d against the countryfe
independence only fonr years ago.

President Sayem action on t h e advice of the Deputy

Chief Martial i*aw Administrator, soon f i l l e d up the h i g h e s t
b u r e a u c r a t i c p o s t s with conmunal and p r o - p a k i s t a n i elemertfe.
d r i v i n g out the known pro-Mujib o f f i c e r s in many c a s e s . Thus
Mahbub Ajam Khan was appointed p r i n c i p a l s e c r e t a r y to the
p r e s i d e n t , and Tubarak Hossain, the Foreign S e c r e t a r y , Both
of them had a c t i v e l y opposed t h e freedom movement. Hossain
was, in f a c t , in charge of the China Division in P a k i s t a n ' s
Foreign O f f i c e , Even before Sayem became p r e s i d e n t , K,M.
Ahmad had dismissed Taufiq Imarav the Cabinet Secretary b e -
fore the Auguit coup, and appointed in h i s p l a c e Shafial
Azam, who had c o l l a b o r a t e d with the P a k i s t a n i f o r c e s . Both
Ahmed and Sayem also packed up the i n t e l l i g e n c e s e r v i c e s
with p r o - P a k i s t a n i elements. I t i s t r u e t h a t some of the
d i g n i t a r i e s appointed by the new regime could claim much
longer a d m i n i s t r a t i v e e x p e r i e n c e . Hut such raj^id and l a r g e -
scale replacements not only hurt causes and v a l u e s held
 48

d e a r b e f o r e , d u r i n g and a f t e r t h e War of L i b e r a t i o n b u t
also created a situation^ In which t h e administrative
m o r a l e n e a r l y brdike d o m . 28
•

The i n f i l t r a t i o n of t h e p r o - P a k i s t a n i e l e m e n t s in~
t o t h e armed f o r c e s , o f t e n a t t h e c o s t of t h e Mukti B a h i n i
p e r s o n n e l and o f f i c e r s (many of whom were summarily d i s -
c h a r g e d o r downgraded ) , was a l s o f r e e l y e n c o u r a g e d . l t w i l l
be seen t h a t among t h e t o p r a n k i n g o f f i c i a l of t h e Bangladesh
armed f o r c e s a f t e r t h e r e o r g a n i z a t i o n . . n o n e e x c e p t Maj.Gen.
Zia-ur-Rahman t o o k any a c t i v e p a r t i n t h e c o u n t r y ' s War of
L i b e r a t i o n . Thus Air V i c e - B a r s h a l Towab, V i c e - A d m i r a l Moshar-
aff H o s s a i n , Maj.Gen.Khalilior Rbhman and Maj .Geo.Golam D a s t g i r
were a l l o w e d t o r i s e t o t h e h i g h e s t p o s i t i o n s i n t h e armed
f o r c e s , a l t h o u g h t h e y had no p o s i t i v e r e c o r d of s e r v i c e t o
29
the country, P i v e o f t h e seven M a j o r s , who h a d overthrown
and k i l l e d Mujib, were awarded w i t h p r e s t i g i o u s and c o m f o r t -
a b l e a s s i g n m e n t s i n the f o r e i g n m i s s i o n s of t h e c o u n t r y . 30

With a l l t h i s , Zia h a d t o f a c e some c h a l l e n g e s coming

from some of t h e R i g h t - w i n g f o r c e s . L t . C o l , Farooq (i^ahma^
was one of t h e two l e a d e r s of t h e August coup ( t h e o t h e r
b e i n g L t . C o l . Abdur Rashid) , who r e f u s e d t o come t o t e r m s
w i t h Z i a . Farooq s t i l l had some f o l l o w i n g i n t h e armed f c r c e s ,
and w i t h t h e i r h e l p , s t a g e d a f u t i l e r e b e l l i o n a t B a g u r a .
Z i a p e r s u a d e d him t o l e a v e t h e c o u n t r y f o r good.JkKx Air V i c e -
j ^ a r s h a l Towab,who had made c o n t a c t s w i t h some Arab c o u n t r t i e s
 49
in the hope t h a t they would help him seize power from
Zia^ also had t o r e s i g n and leave t h e coxintry. Yet these
were minor i r r i t a n t s conpared t o t h e determined opposition
o f f e r e d t o Zia by the Left-wing J a t i y a Samajtantrik Dal
(J.S.D,) .

The y. J . S . D , , as has already been noted, was a

r a d i c a l group of Sheikh Mujib's e r s t w h i l e s u p p o r t e r s , who
had l o s t a l l f a i t h in the Bangabandhu's l e a d e r s h i p because
of t h e l a t t e r ' s i n a b i l i t y and u n w i l l i n g a e s s t o t a k e s t e p s
to usher in t r u e socialism in t h e country within a very
short p e r i o d and t o check wide—spread and l a r g e - s c a l e
c o r r u p t i o n a t ftll l e v e l s of t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n . The group,
consifeting of the youth and s t u d e n t l e a d e r s , had earned
g r e a t r e p u t a t i o n and considerable p o p u l a r i t y during the
War of L i b e r a t i o n . Mujib had thought i t prudent t o nip the
group in bud, and a r r e s t e d a l l i t s known l e a d e r s and workers.
He had probably no knowledge (or comfortably ignored the
knowledge ) t h a t the group had a d m i r e r s , s u p p o r t e r s and even
a c t i v e workers in the armed forces of the c o u n t r y , Lt.Col,
Abu Taber, a r e t i r e d array o f f i c e r , who had l o s t a leg in
the L i b e r a t i o n War, was t h e i r guiding s t a r .

The J . s . D , f a c t i o n in t h e Bangladesh armed forces

had since then been biding t h e i r t i m e . Their o p p o r t u n i t y
came a f t e r the overthrow and murder of Mujib.president K.M.
Ahmed, a c t i n g on t h e advice of ^aj.Gen, Zia-ur-Rahman and
o t h e r s , ordered the r e l e a s e of M a j . J a l i l , A.S.M.Abdur Rab
 50

and Shahjehan S i r a j , t h e t h r e e acknowledged l e a d e r s of t h e

Dal . The new r u l i n g regtrae i n Dacca wanted t o use them for
g e t t i n g broader p o l i t i c a l support in t h e c o u n t r y . The J . S . D ,
decided t o give them t a c t i c a l support, and u t i l i z e the changed
p o l i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n for t h e i r own i d e o l o g i c a l pupposes. As
the f i r s t s t e p , they wanted t o broaden t h e i r base in the armed
f o r c e s of the c o u n t r y .

Corporal Altaf and a few o t h e r s of the a c t i v e armed

forces assembled a t the r e s i d e n c e of F i t . Sergeant Abu Yusuf,
a brother of Abu Taher, towards t h e end of August,1975. Present
in the meeting were, among others,Lt,Ck3l, Taher, Anwar Hossain
(a professor of Bio-Chemistry in Dacca University) and Abdul
Hai Majumdar.

The meeting marked the i n c e p t i o n of t h e celebrated

Gana Bahini ( P e o p l e ' s Revolutionary Array), The assembled
jawans were asked by t h e l e a d e r s t o s e c r e t l y and r a p i d l y
e n l i s t a l a r g e number of new r e c r u i t s . 'Stie work wds very
e f f i c i e n t l y c a r r i e d out by Corporal a l t a f , Subedar Mehboob,
Subedar J a l a l , Havidar Hai and HaviHar B a r e k . L t . C o l . Taher
expressed s a t i s f a c t i o n a t t h e i r performance a t a meeting
h e l d in September, 1975, The members of the Gana Bahini
r e c e i v e d t h r e e o r a t i o n s from Anwar Hossain in October, J-975

Hossain t o l d them t h a t the p r e v a i l i n g c h a o t i c c o n d i t i o n s

in the country had provided them with the g r e a t e s t opport-
u n i t y . P e o p l e ' s confidence in the p r e s e n t Government would
 51

f u r t h e r undermined i f anarchy could be s t i l l intensified.

The members of the Gana p a h i n i should work with the object
ive of accentuating i n d i s c i p l i n e in the armed forces and
disorder on the i n d u s t r i a l and a g r i c u l t u r a l f r o n t s . The
advice of t h e Professor was r u t h l e s s l y c a r r i e d i n t o p r a c t i c e .

The J . S . D . faction in t h e Bangladesh armed forces

played a d e c i s i v e p a r t in overhrowing Khaled and r e i n s t a t i n g
Zia in power in t h e f i r s t week of Novemioer ,1975,Zia r e c i p -
r o c a t e d by immediately freeing t h e remaining J . S . D , p r i s o n e r s .
But Zia also made c l e a r to the j . S , D , l e a d e r s t h a t h i s main
r e l i a n c e would be a on communal and c a p i t a l i s t f o r c e s , and
the Dal would not be able t o use .him for the fulfilment of
i t s dream t o e s t a b l i s h a s o c i a l i s t s o c i e t y in Bangladesh
f r e e from e x p l o i t a t i o n .

The J . S . D , l e a d e r s h i p now decided to overthrow Z i a .

and come t o power themselves. They wanted to take t h e advant^
age of t h e p r e v a i l i n g chaos and u n c e r t a i n t y in the country
divide the armed f o r c e s , and organize the youth and s t u d e n t s ,
who were c l e a r l y f r u s t r a t e d by the made and seemingly un-
ending race for power and t h e l e a d e r s t o t a l unconcern for
the good of the p e o p l e .

Alifiost in no time, t h e J . S , D, and Gana Bah in i personnel

spread over d i f f e r e n t p a r t s of the country, p a r t i c u l a r l y
Comilla, Rangpur, Chittagong arid J e s s o r e , They t r i e d t o f i r e
popular imagination by d i s t r i b u t i o n a good number of very
well w r i t t e n l e a f l e t s . They a l l e g e d in the l e a f l e t s that
Z i a - u r - Rahman's Government was s l i d i n g i n t o thehands of
 52

of t h e i n ^ j e r l a l i s t agents and t h e CIA. In many p l a c e s ,

they JMTought out p r o c e s s i o n s in m i l i t a r y v e h i c l e s , and
chanted slogans l i k e " we want s o c i a l - i s t r e v o l u t i o n :
help us bring i t about" and " Down with c l a s s d i s t i n c t i o n s
"31
in s o c i e t y .
TheJSD l e a d e r s planned and executed t h e i r strategy
with amazing speed, Acting mainly on the advice of Maj.
Ziauddin, they concentrated t h e i r forces in Pirozepur,
B a r i s a l , Barguna and the Sundarbans where the pro-Govern-
ment forces were t h e weakest. Operating from these bases,
they r a i d e d banks, t r e a s u r i e s , p o l i c e s t a t i o n s and even
railitajry out-po*»sts. Money, arms and ammunition s t a r t e d
flowing t o t h e i r hands. They a l s o accumulated a l a r g e number
of boats,^ launches and other v e h i c l e s . They were also able
t o draw d i r e c t pxablic a t t e n t i o n by f r e e l y c l a s h i n g with
the p r o - z i a forces in the towns, the contonments and the
countryside.

The J a t i y a Samjtantrik Dal and i t s armed wing, the

Gana Bahini, were i n s p i r e d but impatient r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s ,
and they had t o pay t h e p r i c e of t h e i r in^jatience. The
majority of t h e Bangladesh armed forces were s t i l l communal-
minded, and could be e a s i l y swayed by p r o - I s l a m i c and a n t i -
I n d i a senti-ments and ULterances, With t h e i r h e l p , 2 i a was
able to defeat t h e J a t i y a Samajtantrik forces in l e s s than
 53

a month, A l a r g e nxiraber of l e a d e r s and workers of the

Dal were e l ^ e r k i l l e d or c a p t u r e d . A few were probably
able to escape to I n d i a ,

Zia-ur-Rahman chose s e r a i - j u d i c i a l punishment for

h i s imprisoned J a t i y a Samajtantrik opponents. A m i l i t a r y
t r i b u n a l s p e c i a l c r e a t e d for t h i s purpose passed i t s s e n t -
ences on J u l y 17, 1976. L t . Col. Taher was sentenced t o
d e a t h . (He was executed t h e same day) Maj, M.A, J a l i l and
P i t . Sergent Abu Yusuf received in5)risonraent for l i f e . Anwar
Hossain, Abdur Rab aad Hassanul Haq were sentenced to serve
10 y e a r s ' r i g o r o u s imprisonment, and t o pay a iline of taka
10,000, o r , in d e f a u l t , to spend another five y e a r s in p r i s o n .
Ma j • Ziauddin was sentenced to 12 y e a r s ' r i g o r o u s irrprisonment.
Another 11 persons including a woman were sentenced t o v a r i o u s
terms ranging from 5 to 7 y e a r s in p r i s o n .

The s u p p o r t e r s of t h e J . S . D , did not t a k e the extJ5rae

punishment of t h e i r l e a d e r s lying down. Some Bangladeshi
s t u d e n t s in London f a s t e d for some time before t h e Bangladesh
High Commission, Those inside the country opted for l e s s
peaceful means. They s t i r r e d up v i o l e n c e in a number of
v i l l a g e s and towns, p a r t i c u l a r l y in the d i s t i i c t s of Rajshahi
and B a r i s a l , Hiey considerably succeeded in i n c r e a s i n g instabili
in the coxontry. They were a l s o able to r e c e i v e support from
t h e pro-Mujib f a c t i o n s in t h e armed f o r c e s . Paced with opposi-
t i o n from the majority of the army p e r s o n n e l , however, the
 54

surviving J.S.D. and Gana Bahini elements were forced to

go underground.

Having thus, at l e a s t for the time being, succeeded

in effectively ciippling the revolutionary j.,S»ij, opposition
to h i s regime, Zia now turned h i s attention to the question
of the revival of p o l i t i c a l a c t i v i t i e s In the country. He
perfectly knew t h a t the people of Bangladesh could not be
e3q>ected to pay unquestioned allegiance to an autocratic
military regime for a long time. I t may be mentioned here
t h a t the promise to hold elections to the J a t i y a Sangsad in
early 1977 was never withdrawn; in f a c t , i t was repeated a
niomber of times. Under the P o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s Order of August/
1976, president Sayem allowed p o l i t i c a l a c t i v i t i e s and the
revival of p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s . Public meetings and demonstration-
continued to be banned. Leaders were given the l i b e r t y to
meet in closed door conferences* and draft t h e i r programmes
and objectives. Bach group as plring to be recognized as
a p o l i t i c a l party would have to submit a copy of i t s programrae
to the Martial Law authorities for clearance. The Martial_Law
atxthorities would scrutinize whether the declared objectives
and the programme of action of the groi:^ were in consonance
with the principles of Bangladesh nationalism, and decide
on t h i s basis whether a p a r t i c u l a r group would be allowed
to function as a p o l i t i c a l p a r t y .

By the beginning of November, 1976,fifty-six- groups

 55

had applied for r e c o g n i t i o n s as p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s . Out of

them, only 17 q u a l i f i e d for r e c o g n i t i o n . The Awami League,
the two f a c t i o n s of which were u l t i m a t e l y able to patch up
t h e i r diffececnes* was one of the recognized p a r t i e s . The
Democratic League of Khondakar Mushtaq Ahmad, the J a t i y a
legue of Ataur Rahman Khan , t h e Bangladesh Muslim League,
t h e United people^s Party and the Convention Muslim League
were among t h e o t h e r recognized p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s .

The p l e t h o r a of p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s provided Maj-Gen,

Zia-ur-Rahman with t h e opportunity he had been seeking f o r .
He argued t h a t e l e c t i o n s \inder the circumstances would accentu-
ate chaos and i n s t a b i l i t y , from which he had been rescuing
the coxintry. He a l s o pointed to the frequent inter-party
c l a s h e s leading t o deaths and i n j u r i e s , and pleaded t h a t
he needed more powers to deal with the s i t u a t i o n . E l e c t i o n s
were u l t i m a t e l y postponed, severe r e s t r i c t i o n s were in^osed
on t h e functioning of p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s , and Zia-ur-Rahman
was appointfeed Chief Martial Law Administrator by P r e s i d e n t
Sayem, The p r e s i d e n t i a l announcement made a t the zero hour
between November 29-30, 1976, empowered Zia-ur-Rahman to
appoint Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrators and Zonal
Majttial Law A d m i n i s t r a t o r s , and take executive d e c i s i o n s
independently of o t h e r s .

Maulana Bhasani and Mohammad Toaha ( the pro-Peking

e x t r e m i s t leader,who was e a r l i e r persuaded by Zia t o forsake
the Path of v i o l e n c e , and experiment with peaceful and
 56

p a r l i a m e n t a r y means) s u p p o r t e d t h e G o v e r n m e n t ' s d e c i s i o n t o
i n d e f i n i t e l y p o s t p o n e e l e c t i o n s , E i a sought t o make t h e
o p p o s i t i o n t o h i s regime f u r t h e r i n e f f e c t i v e toy a r r e s t i n g 11
p o l i t i c a l l e a d e r s i n c l u d i n g t h e former p r e s i d e n t , K.M. Ahmed ,
and a l a r g e number of p o l i t i c a l w o r k e r s , L t . C o l . F a r o o q , who
r e t u r n e d t o Dacca i n J a n u a r y , 1977, was a l s o inprisoned,

Z i a a t t h i s time was p r o b a b l y c o n t e m p l a t i n g something

l i k e Ayiib K h a n ' s b a s i c democracy, which would p r o v i d e him
with s u f f i c i e n t s u p p o r t a t t h e lower l e v e l s . He annunced
t o w a r d s t h e end of December, 1976, t h a t e l e c t i o n s t o t h e
Union P a r i s h a d s would t a k e p l a c e i n J a n u a r y , 1 9 7 7 . He a l s o
made i t known t h a t t h e d a i r m a n and t h e members of t h e Union
p a r i s h a d s would be e n t r u s t e d w i t h t h e t a s k of r u r a l reconst-
r u c t i o n . P o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s were n o t o f f i c i a l l y allowed to
p u t t h e i r c a n d i d a t e s ; a l l c a n d i d a t e s were t o be independents.
N o n e t h e l e s s , t h e Awami League and o t h e r p o l i t i c a l parties
p u t t h e i r c a n d i d a t e s a s i n d e p e n d e n t s , and d i d e x t r e m e l y w e l l , 32

Z i a ' s f o r e i g n t o u r s i n December, 1976, and January4977

i n d i c a t e d t h a t he h a d c o n s i d e r a b l y c o n s o l i d a t e d h i s p o s i t i o n
i n t h e armed f o r c e s of t h e c o u n t r y . However, i t was c l e a r
t h a t t h e u n d e r g r o u n d Gana B a h i n i was n o t g i v i n g Z i a any
r e s p i t e . l t was r e p o r t e d i n A p r i l , 1977, t h a t a t l e a s t 7 5 j u n i o r
army o f f i c e r s were s e c r e t l y e x e c u t e d . Among t h o s e who were
t h u s d i s p o s e d of by means of s e c r e t t r i a l s was S i r a j u l Alam
Khan, who a l o n g w i t h A.S,M. Abdur Rab and Sahjahan Siraj
 57

i t h e c e l e b r a t e d Rab-Slraj-Khan group),had designed t h a t

n a t i o n a l flag of Bangladesh, Played a very s i g n i f i c a n t r o l e
in the War of L i b e r a t i o n , and l a t e r founded the J a t i y a
Samajtantrik Dal,

On i ^ r i l 21,1977, Zia-ur-Rahman formally took over

as the P r e s i d e n t of Bangladesh. He r e t a i n e d the p o s t of
Chief Martial Law Administrator, His f i r s t a c t as the
the p r e s i d e n t was to drop •' Secularism" from the officially
declared o b j e c t i v e s of the Repiablic, Ihe country was hence-
forward to be "guided by the B t i n c i p l e of a b s o l u t e t r u s t
and f a i t h in t h e Almighty Allah, n a t i o n a l i s m , democracy and
"34
socialism. g i a announced t h a t he would t e s t the popular
support for him by facing a referendxun. I t was obviously
to be a vote of the kind Ayub Khan had sought in February,
1960, t o enable him t o declare himself the f i r s t elected
p r e s i d e n t of P a k i s t a n . The referendxim in Bangladesh was
held towards t h e end of May,1977, and, as expected, Zia-
u r - Rahman r e c e i v e d " massive mandate" from the p e o p l e .

But a l l was not w i l l with Z i a . His assumption of

the o f f i c e of P r e s i d e n t was the l a s t straw, which broke
the camel's back. I t afe once brought the students of
Bangladesh again t o the f o r e f ^ r o n t of Bangladesh p o l i t i c s .
Students of Dacca and other p l a c e s became r e s t i v e r i g h t from
i ^ r i l 2 2 , l 5 ' 7 / , Students belonging to the Hwarai League, the
J a t i y a Samajtantrik Dal, the Coramunifet Party and the NAP
(Muzaffar) j o i n e d hands, and s t a r t e d a big movement for
imnediate e l e c t i o n s , and abrogation of the M a r t i a l Law r u i e .
 58

There were r e p o r t s of d i r e c t confrontation between the

s t u d e n t s and t h e armed f o r c e s , and many s t u d e n t s courted
death and i n j i i r y . 35

I t i s t o be noted t h a t , out of the 21 p a r t i e s

enjoying r e c o g n i t i o n a t t h e time, only five communal p a r t i e s ,
namely, t h e Muslim League, the Islamic Democratic League,
the Jamail Islam, t h e Nizama Islam and the Khilafate Rabbani,
immediately supported Z i a ' s assunption of the p r e s i d e n t i a l
ofrice,The Left-wing NAP (Bhasani) and the Right-wing p a r t i e s
l i k e the Ganatantrik. League, the J a t i y a Leaguesand the p e o p l e ' s
League r e f r a i n e d from expressing any o p i n i o n . I t may be mentioned
here t h a t the r e p o r t e d agreement over Farakka between the
Bangladesh Government and the J a n a t a Government in India about
t h i s time a l i e n a t e d Zia- ur-Rahman from some ejctreme Left
f o r c e s , Mohammad Toaha's group openly and the United peoples
Party of Kazi J a f a r and t h e J a t i y a Ganatantrik Union of Sirajul
Hossain in a more guarded manner accused Zia of having sold
Bangladesh's n a t i o n a l i n t e r e s t s t o I n d i a .

Z i a ' s d i f f i c u l t i e s with s e c t i o n s of the armed forces

a t t h i s time were i n d i c a t e d by h i s i n a b i l i t y to name a
successor t o the p o s t of Army Chief, He r e t a i n e d the p o s t
for a considerable period even a f t e r he had become the
P r e s i d e n t . He had to take note of the p o l i t i c a l ambitions
of t h e t h r e e a s p i r a n t s to the p o s t , xiamely, Maj ,Gen, Ashrad,
Maj. Gen. Mir Shoukat Ali and Brigadier Manjoor. He had
a l s o to beware of t h e P r o - P a k i s t a n i o f f i c e r s , whom he Had
not long ago helped r e i n h a b i t a t e t n the armed f o r c e s . Many
 59

of them now wanted to r e p l a c e Zia by Vtce-Admiral Mosharaff/

the i'^avy Chief and Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator,
To some e x t e n t / Zia was able t o strengthen h i s p o s i t i o n
in the armed f o r c e s by r e i n s t a l l i n g some army o f f i c e r s ,
who were e a r l i e r dismissed. a3iejc p e r i o d between the termin-
a t i o n of t h e i r s e r v i c e s and t h e i r r e i n s t a t e m e n t was condoned,

Z i a ' s hold over the country as a whole a t t h i s time

indeed appeared t o be p r e c a r i o u s . Kader Siddique, who had
earned the nickname pf Tiger Siddique during the War of
L i b e r a t i o n , went underground with many o t h e r s immediately
a f t e r Mujib's a s s a s s i n t i o n . Since then, he and h i s followers
had been r e l e n t l e s s l y t r y i n g t o r e s t o r e the four i d e a l s of
Mujib's government, i . e . n a t i o n a l i s m , s o c i a l i s m , democracy
and secularism, and r e - e s t a b l i s h the Bangbandhu as t h e f a t h e r
of t h e nation^ All e f f o r t s t o e n t i c e or otherwise induce them
to sxirrender f a i l e d . In April-May, 1977, Tiger S i d d i q u e ' s
r e b e l l i o u s force was r e p o r t e d t o be in complete command of
wide areas of Bangladesh.

Siddique s t y l e d h i s r e v o l u t i o n a r y force as t h e " j a t i y a

Mukti Bahini" (National L i b e r a t i o n Array) r e m i n i s c e n t of t h e
older Mukti B a h i n i . In a stateaient issued in June, 1977, he
denied t h a t he and h i s colleagues had sought asylum in
I n d i a . He s t r e s s e d t h e fact t h a t they were guiding the g u e r r i -
l l a and commando o p e r a t i o n s from the l i b e r a t e d zones of
Bangladesh, and t h e s t r u g g l e would go on t i l l every inch of
the Bangladesh s o i l was freed from the tyrannous r u l e of Zia
n ,_ 36
-ur-Rahman»
 60

There were other g u e r r i l l a forces which were causing

g r e a t t r o u b l e t o Zia*s a d m i n s t r a t i o n . The " Shanti B a h i n i " .
con^josed of the p e o ^ e belonging t o the h i l l t r i b e s of the
h i l l t r i b e s of t h e CSiittagong t r a c t , was from time to time
f i g h t i n g with the o f f i c i a l armed f o r c e s . A very s e r i o u s r a i d ,
r e s u l t i n g i n a nuiriber of deaths and many i n j u r i e s / was
r e p o r t e d t o have taken place towards t h e end of May,l977,
The leader of the Shanti Bahini, Manabendra iarma (Harma),
was a former Awami League member of the d i s s o l v e d J a t i y a
Sangaad,

Large s e c t i o n s of people, p a r t i c u l a r l y s t u d e n t s ,
were r e s t l e s s f o r t h e r e - e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
government, Zia was keenly conscious of the difficulties
h i s regime was encountering because of the lack of the
popular s a n c t i o n . At the same time, he and h i s colleagues
in t h e armed forces were a f r a i d to face the p e o p l e . They
were only saying t h a t general e l e c t i o n s in the country would
be held in due t i m e . However, they considered t t prudent
to hold municipal e l e c t i o n s without any further d e l a y . Taking
note of the o f f i c i a l mood, five p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s , namely,
t h e Awami League, the National Awami p a r t y (Muzaxfar), the
National Awami P a r t y ( Bhasani), theCommunist Party and the
patr J a t i y a Sarajtantrik Dal ( c o n s t i t u t i o n a l group), united
in an Opposition f r o n t in J u n e , 1977. Begum Jahura Tazuddin,
the widow of Tajuddin Ahmad and Chairman of the Awami League
p r e s i d e d over the f i r s t closed-door meeting of the front.
The speakers condrae»ned Zia for t h e rigged e l e c t i o n s he had
 61

e a r l i e r h e l d in order t o demonstrate the popular support

for h i s a c t i o n of taking over as p r e s i d e n t . In absence of
n a t i o n a l e l e c t i o n s , municipal e l e c t i o n s gave the p o l i t i c a l
p a r t i e s an o p p o r t u n i t y to prove t h e i r p o p u l a r i t y . There
was no doubt t h a t the chairmen of m u n c i p a l i t i e s . who
would be e l e c t e d by the ordinary members/ would hold very
important p o s i t i o n s in p u b l i c l i f e . But t h e Opposition front
was not able to hold together t i l l the muncipal e l e c t i o n s ,
which were held on August 14, 1977.

P o l i t i c a l a c t i v i t i e s in the country were s t i l l banned,

and p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s were not allowed to openly take p a r t
in municipal e l e c t i o n s . They once again bypassed the difficulty
by p u t t i n g up t h e i r candidates as independents. The p o l i t i c a l l y
conscious peo^e of Bangladesh,however, g e n e r a l l y voted forthe
p a r t y o a n d i d a t e s , defeating the o f f i d a l l y sponsored candi<iates
in most of the c o n s t i t u e n c i e s . The Awami League candidates
secured majority (and, t h e r e f o r e , p o s t s of chairman) in 27
muncip*»olities, t h e Muslim League candidates in 24, the NAP
(Bhasani) c a n d i d a t e s in five , the NAP Muzaffar candidates
in t h r e e , the United p e o p l e ' s P a r t y candidates in t h r e e ,
t h e Democratic League candidates in one, the Islamic Democratic
League candidates in one and t h e J . S . D , (constitutional)
candidates in one. Therewere 11 m u n » i c i p a l i t i e s , in which
independents o t h e r than the p a r t y candidates claimed majority,
people showed c l e a r preference for p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s (parti-
c u l a r l y the Awami League ) a l s o in the Dacca Municipal
Corporation e l e c t i o n s held on September 25, 1977.
 62

E l e c t i o n r e s u l t s c l e a r l y showed t h a t :
(i) t h e p e o p l e of Bangladesh would n o t t o l e r a t e t h e Mar-
t i a l law regime f o r an i n d e f i n t e p e r i o d : t h e y were roecoming
i n p a t i e n t for l e t u r n t o t h e normal p o l i t i c a l l i f e ;
(ii) t h e communal and t h e p r o g r e s s i v e f o r c e s were a l m o s t
e q u a l l y s t r o n g in t e r m s of p o p u l a r s u p p o r t ; and
(iii) l a r g e s e c t i o n s of p r o g r e s s i v e f o r c e s were now i n
favour of making a r e a p p r a i s a l of t h e Bangabandhu's r o l e
a n d s t a t u r e i n s p i t e of t h e i r d i s i l l u s i o n m e n t w i t h t h e Sheikh
Shabeb iaetween 1973 and 1 9 7 5 .

In f a c t / i t was s i m u l t a n e o u s l y p r o v e d t h a t anti-communal
and pro-Mujib f o r c e s c o u l d no l o n g e r be s u b d u r e d by b r u t e
f o r c e and t h r e a t s . In s p i t e of t h e o f f i c i a l p r o h i b i t i o n and
r e s t r i c t i o n s , Augufct 15,1977( t h e second a n n i v e r s a r y of
M u j i b ' s a s s a s s i n a t i o n ) , was o b s e r v e d in a clam and sombre
atmosphere a l l o v e r Bangladesh a s t h e Day o f National
Mourning. Defying M a r t i a l Law o r d e r s , p e o p l e in l a r g e
numbers o f f e r e d p r a y e r s a t M u j i b ' s 9a grave i n h i s home
v i l l a g e , Tongibari, ia Faric^ur d i s t t i c t . P u b l i c meetings
were h e l d , and p r o c e s s i o n s were b r o u g h t o u t i n different
p l1a c e^ s . 37

I t h a s a l r e a d y been p o i n t e d o u t t h a t s t u d e n t s of
B a n g l a d e s h , p a r t i c u l a r l y s t u d e n t s of Dacca U n i v e r s i t y , were
a g a i n x * becoming r e s t i v e . Z i a ' s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a t t h i s
s t a g e f u r t h e r p r o v o k e d them by amending t h e Dacca U n i v e r s i t y
Act of 1973. The Amendment d e s t r o y e d t h e Democratic Spirit
 63

of the o r i g i n a l Act c u r t a i l e d t h e autonomy of t h e U n i v e r s i t y ,

and made the Vice-chancellor and the chairmen of different
departments very powerful. The Amendment became t h e r a l l y i n g
p o i n t between the students belonging t o the J . S , D.^-the Awami
League, the NAP (Muzaffar) add the Communist P a r t y .
p r o t e s t i n g against the Amendment/ and demanding th'^
r e s t o r a t i o n of democratic r i g h t s , the s t u d e n t s of Dacca Uni-
v e r s i t y went on an i n d e f i n i t e s t r i k e from August 11, 1977,
The s t r i k e was openly supported by many t e a c h e r s of the
U n i v e r s i t y . Several s t u d e n t s were injured,some of them s e r i o u s l y
in a c l a s h between the pro-Muj ib and t h e anti-Muj ib f a c t i o n s
of s t u d e n t s on August 15, 1977, when the former t r i e d t o
observe the day within the canpus as the Day of National
Mourning, The a u t h o r i t i e s u l t i m a t e l y closed the University
on August 17, 1977, and declared a 35-day " Ramzan Vacation."38

But the s t u d e n t ' s u n r e s t continued. *^though the

University was closed, may s t u d e n t s stayed in h o s t e l s . There
was another c l a s h between two groups of s t u d e n t s on Aggust28,
1977. Thirteen were injured, five of them s e r i o u s l y . There
were also frequent disturbances in Chittagong U n i v e r s i t y and
o t h e r University campuses.

There were e c t i o n s in t h e Bangladesh armed forces,

who were e q u a l l y r e s t i v e , A f u t i l e army mutiny took place
in Bogra on September 30, 1977. I t was followed by another
mutiny in Dacca on October 2, 1977, Dacca Radio S t a t i o n was
under the c o n t r o l of the r e b e l s for a few hoxirs, and there
was tense f i g h t i n g in the a i r p o r t . The Cantonment and the
 64

metropolitan c i t y were also a f f e c t e d , ixtore than a hundred

people, inclading 11 Air Force o f f i c e r s and a t l e a s t 17
c i v i l i a n s , were k i l l e d .

The two mutinies showed t h a t the j a t i y a Samajtantrik

Dal was iStill Zia ' s bugber, because the r e b e l s described
themselves as members of t h e Gana B a h i n i . 39More than a
hundred of them were executed, and many o t h e r s were sentenced
t o long terms of imprisonment, ^et the explosive nature of
the p o l i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n in Bangladesh could be appreciated
from the r e p o r t t h a t the l a r g e r number of 2,500 or so r e b e l s
were able t o go underground,

A f r i g h t e n e d 2ia-ur-Rahman now outlawed not only the

J a t i y a Samjtantrik Dal but a l s o two other p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s ,
namely the Communist party of Mani Singh and the J-'emocratic
League funded by the former P r e s i d e n t , K«M, Ahmed, But
Different r e b e l forces were s t i l l a c t i v e in d i f f e r e n t part
of the country. The Shanti Bahini of Manabendra Larma (Harma?)
was r e p o r t e d by the middle of Novemr)er, 1977, to have l i b e r a t e d
l a r g e areas in t h e Chitagong H i l l T r a c t , Z i a ' s Government had
to announce t h e incentive of increased s a l a r y and other
l u c r a t i v e p e r q u i s i t e s to induce the members of i t s and armed
forces to be p o s t e d in the d i s t u r b e d areas of t h e H i l l 3tsc
Tract.
Kadar Siddique ( t i g e r Siddique), who n e t the Indian
prime M i n i s t e r , the Indian Minister for Defence and other
 65

Indian l e a d e r s about t h i s time, t o l d the Amrita Bazar P a t r i k a

coirespondent t h a t the people of Bangladesh would not t o l e r a t e
the array r u l e for long. He poix^ted out t h a t signs of widespread
resencinent were already coming -co s u r f a c e , democratic element
were c o n s o l d i t i n g themselves, and the a u t h o r i t y of the official
armed forces was f a s t eroding. He a s s e r t e d t h a t the end ofthe
m i l i t a r y d i c t a t o r s h i p headed by General 2ia-ur-Rahman was in
sight.
In Novenber, 1977, Zia-ur-Rahman was under tremendous
p r e s s u r e not only from t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y forces but a l s o from
the recognized p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s , which i n t e n s i f i e d t h e i r
demand for the r e s t o r a t i o n of democratic government in the
country, l e d by the Awami League, the Muslim League and other
p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s , there was considerable popular a g i t a t i o n
in d i f f e r e n t p a r t s of the country, p a r t i c u l a r l y in Dacca,
Chittagong, Khulna, Bogra, Comilla and Rajshahi.

Zia-ur-Rahman took, note of the f a c t t h a t not only

the armed r e b e l s , the s t u d e n t s and the L e f t i s t and the lef t-
of - the c e n t r e p a r t i e s b u t even the comniunal and right-wing
p a r t i e s , on whose support he l a r g e l y depenaed, were now
demanding the r e s t o r a t i o n of popular r u l e . Under the circumstanc
he slowly came t o the conclusion t h a t he needed more organized
p l i t i c a l suport for the p r o l o n g a t i o n of h i s r u l e . I t was
r e p o r t e d by the middle of November,1977, t h a t the Bangladesh
p r e s i d e n t was contemplating e n t e r i n g p o l i t i c s , involving p o l -
i t i c a n s in h i s government and r e l i e v i n g array o f f i c e r s of cheir
 66

c i v i l i a n d u t i e s . Amidst r e p o r t s t h a t a t l e a s t s i x of the
18 members of the Council of Advisers to t h e P r e s i d e n t
had r e s i g n e d , the p r e s i d e n t met l e a d e r s of d i f f e r e n t parties
on December 8,1977, o s t e n s i b l y " to dicuss h i s p l a n s to
r e s t o r e democracy "41 in the c o u n t r y . Reports from Dacca
suggested t h a t General 2 i a would form and himself head a
p o l i t i c a l p a r t y , and seek p o l i t i c a l legitimacy by holding
p o l l s a t an e a r l y d a t e .

What Zia-;ir-Rahman had in mind soon became c l e a r .

Addressing the n a t i o n of the night of Decernber 15 on the
eve of the National Victory Day, the p r e s i d e n t admitted
the " there e x i s t s a p o l i t i c a l vacuum in Bangladesh', and
announced h i s decision to " form a p o l i t i c a l f r o n t , and i n -
i t i a t e a democratic p r o c e s s " t o f i l l the vacuum. 42

The P r e s i d e n t ' s decision to form a "Front" and not

a p a r t y i n d i c a t e d t h a t the p r e s i d e n t wanted only one p o l i t i c a l
p a r t y in Bangladesh under h i s l e a d e r d i i p , and was unwilling
to allow any o p p o s i t i o n . The proposed n a t i o n a l front would
be of the nature of the BftKSAL , which would uphold one man's
absolute a u t h o r i t y . P o l i t i c a l l e a d e r s of Bangladesh, who had
enough experience not to be swayed by the G e n e r a l ' s l i p - s e r v i c e
to the democratic i d e a l s , immediately p r o t e s t e d . Different
Right- wing and Left- wing l e a d e r s soon met a t t h e residence
 67

t>£ the v e t e r a n Bangladesh p o l i t i c i a n , Ataxor Rahman Khan.

Leaders l a i d down two c o n d i t i o n s for cooperation with the
p r e s i d e n t . F i r s t , the ban on a c t i v i t i e s of the p o l i t i c a l
p a r t i e s would have to be l i f t e d . Secondly, a firm time-
schedule for e l c e t i o n s would have to be announced.

But the l e a d e r s ' i n s i s t e n c e t h a t d i f f e r e n t p<J>liti<sal

p a r t i e s should be allowed t o r e t a i n t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l identi-
t i e s , and c a r r y on the normal p o l i t i c a l a c t i v i t i e s , was not
a t a l l acceptable to the p r e s i d e n t . He obviously wanted t o
s t r i k e t e r r o r in the minds of p o l i t i c a l l e a d e r s by issuing
an Order in January, 1978, which s t a t e d t h a t a l l persons who
had held o f f i c i a l p o s t s betweenl;971 and 1975 would have to
submit a r e t u r n of t h e i r a s s e t s within two months. Address-
ing a p u b l i c meeting in Chittagong on January 28, 1978,
Zamaluddin, the I n d u s t r i a l Adviser t o the president,announced
t h a t the p r e s i d e n t had decided t o form the National Front,
t h a t a l l recognized p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s and groups would ha"«e
t o merge in the proposed National Front, and t h a t no other
p a r t y or group would be recognized under the new C o n s t i t u t i o n
of the country. P r i n c i p l e s of t h e National Front would be
nationalism democracy and s o c i a l welfare according t o - the
Islamic p r i n c i p l e s . Stating t h a t the e l e c t i o n s would be held
soon, and the e l e c t e d l e g i s l a t u r e would be t h e supreme law
making bocfy, he f u r t h e r declared t h a t the Government of ^^-
the country under the new C o n s t i t a t i o n would be of the p r e s i -
d e n t i a l type, because, in the P r e s i d e n t ' s view, the P a r l i -
amentary form of government held f a i l e d in Bangladesh,
 68

While s a y i n g t h a t he was s e e k i n g c o o p e r a t i o n
from p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s . P r e s i d e n t Zia-ur-Rahman of Ban-
g l a d e s h t h u s i n v i t e d c o n f e r o n t a t i o n . The immediate
r e a c t i o n of p o l i t i c a l l e a d e r s of Bangladesh t o Zamaluddinfe
s t a t e m e n t was s h a r p and b i t t e r , Ataur Rahman Khan, who
h a d once c o u r a g e o u s l y c o n t r a d i c t e d p r e s i d e n t Ayub K h a n ' s
view t h a t t h e p a r l i a m e n t a r y form of government h a d failed
i n P a k i s t a n , r e j e c t e d Zia-ur-Rahman*s c l a i m t o o . He m a i n t -
a i n e d t h a t P a r l i a m e n t a r y Democracy had n o t been g i v e n a
f a i r t r i a l i n B a n g l a d e s h . Ataur Rahman Khan a s s e r t e d that
t h e 1972 C o n s t i t u t i o n of t h e c o u n t r y was s t i l l v a l i d , and
t h e p r e s e n t a d m i n i s t r a t o r s , n o t b e i n g r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e
p e o p l e , had no l e g a l or c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a u t h o r i t y t o change
t h e 1972 C o n s t i t u t i o n . G e n , O s m a n i , t h e former Commander- i n -
Chief of t h e Mukti B a h i n i , a a i d i n a s t a t e m e n t t h a t t h e
p r o p o s e d c o n s t i t u t i o n a l s e t - u p would perpestuate one-man
r u l e i n t h e c o u n t r y , Mashiur Rahman of t h e NAP (Bhasani)
s a i d t h a t t h e p r o p o s e d p r e s i d e n t i a l form of government would
be of t h e k i n d , which c o u l d n o t be overthrown e x c e p t by
v i o l e n t means. He r e c a l l e d t h e f a t e of t h e o n e - p a r t y system
and t h e p r e s i d e n t i a l type of government b r o u g h t i n t o e x i s t e n c e
by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman o n l y t h r e e y e a r s a g o . 43
 69

III
Bangladesh Moves Oifi

AC CORDING to the Western media (particulrarly the

B.B.C. and the Voice of America), P r e s i d e n t Zia-ur-Rahman
nas been able to b r i n g a c e r t a i n s t a b i l i t y to h i s country.
But i t may be a t b e s t a comparative s t a t e m e n t . Nobody can
deny t | i a t many Bangladeshi r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s have been biiding
t h e i r time from the underground. A broadbased agreement b e t -
ween the Gana Bahini of J . S . D . , pro-Mujib r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s
l i k e the J a t i y a Mukti Bahini of Tiger Siddique and other
r e v o l u t i o n a r y elements l i k e t h e Shanti Bahini of the C h i t t -
agong H i l l Tract cannot be r u l e d o u t . Mohammad Toaba's
group has also of l a t e given i n d i c a t i o n of t h e i r d i s s a t i s -
f a c t i o n with Zia. I t would be f a n t a s t i c to suggest t h a t Zta
has been able so x wipe out a l l d i f f e r e n c e s between different
f a c t i o n s in che o f f i c i a l armed f o r c e s , and e s t a b l i s h e d
complete and unquestioned command,

Zia has a t l a s t r e a l i z e d t h a t the p o l i t i c a l l y consciov

people of Bangladesh would not i n d e f i n i t e l y put up with
the {ieprivation of p o l i t i c a l r i g h t s forced upon them. Here e
Zia's decision t o e n t e r i n t o a c t i v e p o l i t i c s . But h e r e ,
t o o , ha has chosen the wrong t r a c k . In s p i t e of t h e rigged
e l e c t i o n s and the highly a u t h o r i t a r i a n me:thods, i t mus -
 70

be admitted t h a t Ayiib khan had formally p e r m i t t e d the

e x i s t e n c e and a t l e a s t l i m i t e d a c t i v i t i e s of different
p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s . If Zia has decided to have only one
p o l i t i c a l p a r t y in the country in the name of the National
Front/ the reason must be t h a t t h e d i c t a t o r has become h i g -
hly unpopular not only with the L e f t i s t and the c e n t r i s t
p a r t i e s l i k e the Communist p a r t y (now d e f u n c t ) , the NAP
(Bhasani) , the Awami League, the J a t i y a L e a g u e e t c , which
have never r e a l l y supported h i s r u l e , but with the Right-
wing and communal p a r t i e s l i k e the Muslim League, the Gan-
a t a n t r i k League (defunct). Islamic Democratic League etc,
on whose support the General has depended for a long time
as w e l l . Too soon, i t seens, the Bangladesh d i c t a t o r y has
forgotten the examples of Ayub Khan and the founder of
Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

After decades of s u f f e r i n g and hunger, the people

of Bangladesh might be w i l l i n g t o grant Zia-ur-Rahman a
longer lease of power had h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n been able to
l e s s e n , a t leafet to some e x t e n t , t h e i r economic agony. Always
preoccupied with t h e maintenance and the strengthening of
h i s own p o s i t i o n , Zia has not been able to d i r e c t any w e l l -
considei-ed p o l i c y to the s o l u t i o n of t h i s problem. The magni-
tude of h i s t a s k i s not denied.Bangladesh i s a couni:ry of
80 m i l l i o n people i n h a b i t i n g an area of 55,000 sq. m i l e s .
The deep economic d i s t r e s s l a l a r g e l y a haingover from a
 71

q u a r t e r c e n t u r y of \inhappy union w i t h P a k i s t a n , The

breakaway from P a k i s t a n was o b t a i n e d a t a m a t e r i a l
damage of 1/200 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s . Floods and c y c l o n e s a r e
c o n s t a n t v i s i t o r s . Yet a l a n d of r i v e r s and huge irri-
g a t i o n p o t e n t i a l i t i e s / Bangladesh s h o u l d have by now a t
l e a s t p a r t l y s o l v e d i t s food p r o b l e m . But t h e food p r o b -
lem i n Bangladesh r e m a i n s c h r o n i c (25 p e r c e n t d e f i c i t in
a normal y e a r ) * Unemployment in Bangladesh i s r i § i n g . The
growth in p o p u l a t i o n i s u n c h e c k e d . So i s t h e r a t e of infl-
a t i o n . P r i c e s of e s s e n t i a l commodities c o n t i n u e t o be far
beyond t h e means of t h e corrmon p e o p l e . The f a i l u r e on the
a g r i c u l t x i r a l f r o n t i s e v e n l y matched by t h e f a i l u r e on
the i n d u s t r i a l f r o n t . I t i s o f f i c i a l l y e s t i m a t e d in Bangla-
desh t h a t while t h e i i r p o r t b i l l i n 1977-78 w i l l r i s e t o Taka
600 c r o r e s / e x p o r t e a r n i n g s w i l l n o t exceed Taka 300 c r o x e s ,
Thece i s p r a c t i c a l l y no a t t e m p t t o s o l v e t h e b a s i c problem
of g e n e r a t i n g r e s o u r c e s f o r development w h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g
t h e minimum consumption l e v e l , p o l i c i e s a r e ill-conceived,
and f u r t h e r inpounaed by i n e f f i c i e n c y and c o r r u p t i o n . There
i s no g r e a t e f f o r t t o s p r e a d l i t e r a c y among t h e m a s s e s ,
p r i m a r y e d u c a t i o n i s a s n e g l e c t e d a s e v e r , p o v e r t y of t h e
masses/ l i k e t h e i r d i s e a s e s / i s e n d e m i c . While t h e large
m a j o r i t y of p e o p l e a r e r a p i d l y s l i d i n g down t h e p o v e r t y

line/ a h a n d f u l of t h e r i c h c o n t i n u e t o be more and more

44
prosperous.
 72

The s o l u t i o n of the problem of economic d i s t r e s s

and e x p l o i t a t i o n a t a reasonable speed and the r e s t o r a t i o n
of the p e o p l e ' s p o l i t i c a l and c i v i l r i g h t s without undue
delay were and have been t h e two main c h a l l e n g e s before
the Zia a d m i n i s t r a t i o n . The p o l i c y outputs of Z i a ' s Gover-
nment are not i n d i c a t i a e of being able to c r e a t e s o c i a l
i n p u t s , which might provide a b a s i c support s t r u c t u r e for
h i s l e a d e r s h i p . There i s no evidence of the e x i s t e n c e of
a feedback l o o p . The overload xinder t h e circumstances i s
apt to become c r u s h i n g . The f i n a l breakdown may only be
a question of t i n e .

The p i c t u r e s q u e land of e i g h t c r o r e s of very i n t e -

l l i g e n t , highly conscious and almost unbelievably suffering
people moves o n - i t i s not y e t c l e a r to which d i r e c t i o n .
The p r o g r e s s i v e and the r e a c t i o n a r y forces (with t h e i r i n -
numerable d i v i s i o n s and sub-divisions) appear to be evenly
matched- and poised for another showdown, A temporary t r u c e
between them for the overthrow of t h e p r e s e n t oppressive
regime i s on c a r d s .
 73

UNEASY TRUCE

After a year of renewed martial law administr tion. The

second since ^angla desh was born as a republic in I97l5n the

nation is again pigging headlong into a crisis. Last fornight,

Bangladesh's chief martial Law Administrator (CMLA). Lt.

General H.M. Ershad, staved off by the skin of his teeth a situatic

which would have surely witnessed him out of; power. At the

last moment/ he was able to strike a bargain: with the administ-

ration/ uneasily led by him and including an army brass that

highly disapproves of his conduct. Though Ershad continues in

office/ the Kifcch for a change has already begun/ and the

mercurial CMLA it likely tofind the going getting increasingly

touch,

Ershad's quick march along the road to Islamisation had

abruptly begun at a congregation at the Secretariat mosque, where

the Milad Mahfil was held on the evening of December 30. The

congregation was addressed, apart from the Miptiial Law Administra-

tors, also by leaders of the country's various mosques. The tone

and content of Ershad's speech sent shock waves. Said he "We

must give Islam its rightful place in the Constitution, Why

should there be any fear if it is made the state religion?

After all Islam is a religion of tolerance and accommodation."

Riding roughshod over the sentiments of the vast majority

of his countrymen, who often see in such campaigns a covert

attempt to return to the old Pakistani spirit, Ershad

 74

followed it up with a series of similar invective. On New

Year's Day he told a rally at Barisal that, Islam was the only

life-style to follow", forgetting that his country (population

9 crore) has a 1.2 crore Hi du population. On the day, he made

all mosque proper tiea lax free corrmenting piously that "Islam

spread from the mosques".

Some of the analysts in Dhaka who came to New Delhi later

said they were taken completely aback by the CMLA'S stance. But

the climax came at an Islamic convention organised by the fanatic

Jamiatul Mudarre seen on January 14. Flanked by Moulana Mannan

and Moulana Sha Abu Zafar, known as the pir of Sarsina, both

dreaded figures of the Ai_Badr (the secret org nisation responsible

for the liquidation of 2,5 million people who had ooposed the

Yahya regime in 1971), Eshad said; Islam will have the pivotal

position in the future. Constitution of the country. ...Our

struggle is to fight the enemies of Islam and to turn Bangladesh

into an Islamic country." His last ominous words were.Every

Bangladeshi should believe in Islam."

Instant Rapport : If his tone was frenzied, equally

heady was the reception his words got from the fanatic crowd

of 10,000. As Ershad praised Saudi Arabia, saying that

everyone there is happy because everyone is a Muslim the cheer

leaders began shouting. Ershad you more ahead we are with you.

Call me Al Haj. he shouted back at the crowd. Because that gives

me strength. Within days ib became knwon that Ershad had been

planning to:
 75

(Islamic law) and the Quranic principles,

- declare Islam as the state religion.

- introduce Arabic from the first standard in schools, thus

compelling the primary students to go in for a three-

language formula;and

according to diplomatic reports, he had also begun a plan

to raise an army of 10,000 men exclusively for the use of

the Government of Saudi Arabia,

In an obvious backlash, the Dhaka University Central

Students' Association ( D U C S U ) , which had earlier spearheaded the

revolt against the Pakistani military regime began its movement.

Seventeen intellectuals including vice-chancellors, poets. Unguis

scientists and assorted opinion-makers issued a memorandum

which stated. The journey that began 31 years ago through the

resistance to attacks on our language and culture and indeed, on

onr very identity, by the reactionary forces finally culminated

in independence t h r o u ^ the liberation war. The reactionaries and

the vested interests are even today engaged in a conspiracy.

In his new conciliatory phase, Ershad is even prepared

to restore democracy by calling for electior^s at three stages;

the thana and municipal levels, the provincial districts and

finally at the national Assembly "by 1985". But many think

that Ershadm like all tincot dictators, would allow for elections

only when it suits him best. Still, the doubt remains that he

cannot abate the new forces that he has himself stirred up if

he suddenly draws up the bridge.

 76

AIM^_SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

AIM AND SCOPE :

The p r e s e n t s t u d y i s i n t e n d e d t o b r i n g a t one p l a c e in

t h e form of a n n o t a t i o n s a l l t h e s i g n i f i c a n t literat-:;re that is

available i n t h e f i e l d of I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h r e l a t i o n s . Although

the Bibliography is selective i n n a t u r e an a t t e m p t h a s b e e n made

t o c o v e r a l l t h e x a s p e c t s of I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h Relations.

I am c o n f i d e n t t h a t t h i s b i b l i o g r a p h y w i l l be h e l p f u l to

a l l t h o s e who h a v e some i n t e r e s t i n t h e f i e l d of Indo-Bangladesh

In X my n o t i o n s t h e r e a d e r a w a r e n e s s , t h e f u l l information as well

a s g u i d e n c e , f u l l y m a t u r e d i n t h i s t o p i c . I h a v e a d d e d some maps

of I n d i a and B a n g l a d e s h .

METHODOLOGY :

The annotated bibliography contains 264 entries.

Generally the survey of the literature available in the

Maulana Azad Library, A.M.U. Aligarh and Indian Council of World

Affairs library. Sapru House, New Delhi" was conducted.

A list of periodicals has been given in the last of

part I.

STANDARD FOLLOV'JED : As far as possible the Indian standards

recommended for bibliographical references (IS:2381-1963) has

been followed. After searching the literature entries were

recorded on 5" x 3" cards. The entries in the bibliography

 77

contain abstracts giving essential information about the article

documented. In soiirce places where rules not fitted. I have

preferred my own experience,

ARRANGEMENT :

The bibiliographic part has been arranged alphabetically

according to subject headings. Under the specific subject heading,

"the entiies have been arranged. Alphabetically by author. The

entries are s-er«ally numbered in my nations, I have arranged the

entries serially and following headings are applied for each

entries:

a) Serial No,

b) l^ame of author/authors

c) A f a l l stop (.)

d) Title of the article which including titles and

alternative titles, if any.

e) A full stop (.)

f) Title of periodical in abbreviated form or full form,

if so possible and under lined,

g) Semicolon (>)

h) Volume No. ^^li^S'ek-•.

i) Comma {,)

k) Semi colon (;) ^^^ISVjN-.vER.illi^^^

1) •'^ear in numberred

m) A comma(,) after year.

n) Mo-th in abbreviated form.

 78

o) Comma (,)

p) Date

q) Semicolon (;)
r) Page No,

s) Full stop (.)

INDEXES :

The part III - Contaris Author and title Indexes in

alphabetical sequence, E.-ch index quides to the specific entry

or tntries in the bibliography,

then we have arranged by a, h, c, d, and so on. Every

title and subjects give the full information. I hope they

will be 'ound very helpful in consultation of the bibliography.

 79
LIST OP JOURNALS

Name o f Joxirnals Place Frequency

l.Anurita Bazar Patreka Calcutta Daily

2.Capital Calcutta Weekly
3,Commerce Bombay Weekly

4,Democratic World New D e l h i Quaterly

5,Eastern Economisfe New D e l h i Weekly

6.Economic & P o l i t i c a l Weekly Bombay Wkly

7.Economic t i m e s New D e l h i Daily

8 . F a r e a s t e r n economic review Hongkong .fl<ly

9.Foreign trade review New D e l h i Quaterly

10.Frontier Calcutta v/kly

11,Financial egress New D e l h i Daily

12.Hindu Madras Daily

13.Hindustan Standard Daily

1 4 . H i n d u s t a n Times New D e l h i Daily
1 § . I l l u s t r a t e d weekly Bombay Weekly
1 6 , I n d i a n Sc f o r e i g n review

19,Indian ejqjress New D e l h i Daily

18,India Today New D e l h i Fort nightly

19.Janata Bombay • V(klY

20,Link New D e l h i Wkly

21,Main stream New D e l h i Wkly

22.Margin New D e l h i Quarterly

23,Modern r e v i e w Calcutta Monthly

 80

24, Motherland

2 5 , Nagpur t i m e s Nagpur Daily

26, N a t i o n a l Herald Lucknow Daily

2 7 , New Age New D e l h i vJeekly

2 8 , New t i m e s Moscow /leekly

29,Organiser New D e l h i Vteekly

30.Patriot New D e l h i Daily

31.Radiance Delhi vVee k l y

32.seminar New D e l h i Monthly

33,Socialist India Delhi vveekly

34,Spectator England Vjfkly

35,Statesman New D e l h i Daily

36.Swarajya Madras Wkly

37,Times of India New D e l h i Daily

38.Thought New Y o r k Quarterly

39, Tribune London Wkly

40.World today London Monthly

PART T W O
Bibliography
 81

1. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDRY DEMARCATION,

KRISHNA MOORTHy (K) , P r o g r e s s of Indo-Bangla r e l a t i o n s . Hindu.

1973, J a n , 26, 8 .

The a u t h o r d i s c u s s e s , t h a t i n t h e w e l l planned o p e r a t i o n lasting

b a s e l y a f o r t n i g h t t h e 2600 kms e a s t e r n b o r d e r was c o n v e r t e d
i n t o a f r e i n d l y l i n e on t h e nap from one f o r two decades
h o s t i l e h a r a s s m e n t was f r e q u e n t . There wer« two peaks of I n d o -
Bangla e n p h o r i a w i t h p o p u l a r p a r t i c i p a t i o n . The f i r s t was when
Sheikh Mujib v i s i t e d C a l c u t t a , Although e a r l y a s p i r a t i o n s have
proved t o have been u n r e a l i s t i c a l l y o v e r a m b i t i o n s , t h e p o l i t i c a l
and economic r e l a t i o n s between b o t h n a t i o n s a r e on an ev&a
k e e l now, w i t h l e a d e r s of b o t h c o u n t r i e s t r y i n g t o s e t a firm
c o u r s e f o r c l o s e r economic c o o p e r a t i o n of mutual benefit,

2 . INIX) BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, DEMARCATION,

ERSHAD* Phoney c r i s i s . P a t r i o t , 1984, Apr, 2 6 .

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t t h e G e n - % s h a d ' s government i s

t r y i n g t o provoke a phoney c r i s i s o u r I n d i a ' s d e c i s i o n t o have
a b a r b e d w i r e fence a l o n g t h e Bangladesh Boundary. The Demarcation
of t h e b o r d e r which i s n o t d i s l i n g u i s h e d by any n a t u r a l features,
r i v e r s , h i l l s , and f o r e s t can by no atiB:ch of imagination
c o n s t r u e d a s a r e f l e c t i o n a s I n d i a Bnagladesh r e l a t i o n s n o r be
h u r t f u l t o B a n g l a d e s h ' s l e g i t i m a t e i n t e r e s t . Over t h e y e a r s ,
Bangladesh n a t i o n a l s i n l a r g e numbers have c r o s s e d i n t o the
 sz

a d j a c e n t I n d i a n s t a t e s . This i s a U n i v e r s a l l y acknowledged
f a c t . D e l h i can p l a y down t h e bogus c r i s i s he wants so d i s -
p e r a t e l y on t h e I n d i a - B a n g l a d e s h b o r d e r s .

3. INDO-B?^GLADESH REIATIONS, BOUNCARY DISPUTE, DEMARCATIOJ .

ERSHAD'S OBJECTIONS, fetriot. 1983, Nov, 8; 6 .

D i s c u s s e s i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o xinderstand why Gen, H.M, Ershad

t h i n k s t h a t I n d o - B a n g l i R e l a t i o n s w i l l be s t r a i n e d of t h e two
c o u n t r i e s boundary has a fence on i t . He has c o n s i d e r e d i t n e c e s s a r
t o r e s t a t e h i s o b j e c t i o n t o t h e p r o p o s e d / b a r b e d - w i r e fence a l o n g
B a n g l a d e s h ' s b o r d e r w i t h Assam, Ershad c l a i m s t h a t t h e r e h a s
been no I n f i l t r a t i o n of Bangladesh n a t i o n a l s i n t o I n d i a . Assam
has taken a s u b s t a n t i a l e n f l a x o f Bangladesh n a t i o n a l s . There
i s n o t h i n g i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l law t o s u g g e s t t h a t a b o r d e r fence
i s o f f e n s i v e t o e i t h e r oovintry o r i t s e x i s t e n c e be t a k e n s
u n f r i a i d l y w i t h o u t o f one a g a i n s t t h e o t h e r . The I n d i a Bangladesh
tooxindary i n roost p a g t i s w i t h o u t p h y s i c a l f e a t u r e s which can
d«ncxcarate them. I t i s d i f f i c u l t to stop i l l e g a l t r a v e l across
such a boxindary,

4. INDO-BWJGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, DEMARCATION.

FUSS AND n o i s e . Hindustan t i r o e s . 1983, Sep, 9 ; 6 .

H i g h l i g h t s t h e Bangladesh seems t o be und»lY a l a r m e d o v e r t h e

p r o p o s a l t o have a barbed w i r e fence on t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l boundary
w i t h I n d i a . I t would be s i a p l e con«vons«:\se f o r Bangladesh t o d i s c u s
t h e m a t t e r w i t h I n d i a r a t h e r t h a n make an i s s u e o u t of i t in
 83

I n t e r n a t i o n a l forxiras, A propaganda war w i l l o n l y harden p o s i t i o n s .

I t w i l l s e r v e no u s e f u l p u r p o s e . Making a g r e a t d e a l of r o i s e
and f u s s i s h a r d l y t h e way t o f i n d an a c c e p t a b l e s o l u t i o n ,

5. INDO-BANGIADESH RELATIONS^ BOUNDARY DISPUTE, DEMARCATION.

MALHOTRA ( I n d e r ) • DELHI DEALING With Dacca: Lessons f a i l e d p a r l e y s .

Times of I n d i a . 1979, Dec, 20; 6 , '

The a u t h o r d i s c u s s e s t h a t ill i s d i f f i c u l t t o t h i n k of a n y t h i n g
more p o i n t l e s s t h a n a d e s p u t e between two n e i g h b o u r i n g c o u n t r i e s
c l a i m i n g t o a f r i n d l y towards each o t h e r , o v e r a 44 a c r e i s l a n d
i n a b o r d e r r i v e r n notaricans f o r changing i t s c o \ i r s e . Moreover
i r r e s p e c t i v e of t h e Muhuri's Meandering t h e Char i n q u e s t i o n w i l l
e v e n t u a l l y bex a p a r t of I n d i a i n terms o f t h e 1974 Indo-Bangladesh
agreement on t h e demarcation o f t h e l a n d boxondary. For Dacca i s
n o t o n l y f u l l y aware of t h e r e a s o n s f o r t h e p r o c e d u r e adopted
by I n d i a t o complete t h e d e m a r c a t i o n of t h e a g r e e d frontier
on t h e grand b e f o r e r a t j f t y i n g t h e a c c o r d b ^ t i s known t o have
e x p r e s s e d i n n n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e s e a t l a t e a s l a s t y e a r . In t h e
c i r c u m s t a n c e s t h e p r i n c i p a l of l e s s o n of t h e frustra^-ing
n e g o l i a t i o n s i s t h a t t h e r e t s a wide gap between t h e i l l u s i o n
and t h e r e a l i t y of Indo-Bangladesh r e l a t i o n s ,

6. INDO-BALNGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, DEMARCATION.

UNNECCESSARY TENSION. Hindustan Times, 1979, Nov, l o ; 9 .

Paper d e s c r i b e s t h a t i t i s xinfortunate t h a a p e r e n n i a l problem,

like the created by t h e c o u r s e of r i v e r s which demarcate t h e
b o r d e r between I n d i a and Bangladesh, i n s t e a d of b e i n g s e t t l e d
 84

,, immediately at the local, district level in a practical,

commonsense manner, should be allow to reach the corridors

of the highest authorities. In the present case the.Muhuri

river border had been the scene of tension because of the steady

firing resorted to by Bangladesh since November. The Indian

security forces have shown restraint in returning fire. Now

that the joint river commission is going into the question

of the changed river course in this sector, the allied issues

of the construction of the spurs and new cultivation should

also be brouclht undersome general rules for future

guidance.

7. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, DEMARCATION.

USEFUL TALKS. Hindustan Tinies. 1975, Dec, 10; 7.

Gives description regarding the direct and full exchange of

views between officials at the highest level and was necessary,

in fact, overdue, for India and Bangladesh since the grave events

of August, Not only as neighbours with a long common border but

as friends with deep cultural ties the two countries could

have delayed the kind of meeting Mr. Parth Sasthi and Mr.

Abdus Sattar have just had only at the risk of damaging seriously

their mutual interests. The quick succession of regimes in Dacca,

the spreading unrest in the regular army with reports of

sporadic civil disturbances in the border districts of Bangaladest

and finally the continued enjoyment of equal rights by the

minorities are the issues which Mr. Parthasarthy's team can

be presumed to have shown concern.

 85

8. INDO-B^GIADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND, ASSAM.

BIG STEPforward, Amrita Bazar P a t r l k a , 1 9 8 2 , J a n , 23; 6.

Paper s t u d i e s t h e f o u r p o i n t a c c o r d on l i g h t e n i n g security

measures on t h e border between Assam and Bangladesh t o p r e v e n t

future i n f i l t r a t i o n into the s t a t e , reached a t the three-day

tri|lartile-BrllKfVB , i s a b i g s t e p forward i n f i n d i n g a s o l u t i o n

t o t h e f o r e i g n e r s i s s u e . As a m a t t e r o f f a c t , the centre's

d r a f t p r o p o s a l s on d e t e c t i o n and d e p a r t a t i o n o f foreigners

were t h r o u g h l y d i s c u sed a t t h e m e e t i n g though no a g r e a n o i t

coviftd be r e a c h e d .

9 . INDO^BAIBLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND, DEMARCATION^

ASSAM«

MATTER OF F e n c i n g , I n d i a n E x p r e s s . 1983, S e p , 7; 6.

Paper d e a l s w i t h t h e General E r s h a d ' s c a l l t o t h e p e o p l e o f

Bangladesh t o " r e s i s t " I n d i a n e n c i r c l e m a i t by barbed w i r e is

meant p r i m a r i l y f o r i n t e i m a l consumption a f t e r e a r l i e r o p p o s t i o n

p r o t e s t t h d r e on t h e r i v e r w a t e r s q u e s t i o n - and s h o u l d n o t b e

p e r m i t t e d t o c l o s e d r e l a t i o n s between t h e two c o i i n t r i e s . The

d e c i s i o n t o e r e c t a barbed w i r e f e n c e a l o n g t h e I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h

b o r d e r was n o t l i g h t l y t a k e n . The g e n e s i s o f t h e Assam problem

and t h e c o n t i n u e d i n f i l t r a t i o n o f a l i e n s i n t o t h e border s t a t e s ±i

n o t unknown. P a r t i t i o n d i d n o t end t h e demographic c o m p u l s i o n s a t

t h e r o o t o f t h a t movement. H However t h e B a n g l a d e s h statements

may o f f e r an o p e n i n g f o r b i l a t e r a l t a l k s on t h e s u b j e c t o f mutual

border s e c u r i t y . Peace and s t a b i l i t y i n t h e r e g i o n and economic

c o o p e r a t i o n would go a l o n g way t o sttamulate d e v e l o p m a i t .

 86

10. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND^DEMARCATIOI-^

ASSAM.

PROVOCATION FBOM Dacca. Patriot, 1984, Apr, 23;6.

^aper highlights the armed personnel of Bangladesh have acted

in provocative manner by opening fire on Indian workers

engaged "in erecting fence on the border between the two

countries. The anexiety of the Assamese people about the

impact of the influx of Bangladeshi nationals on the cultural an

demographic composition in Assam is genuine. The circumstances

which have led Delhi to take the decision to seal the border hav

been explained to by the Government of India and through

deploroetic channel. To encourage the armed personnel to open

fire an workers and security forces of a neighbour is an

irresponsible and a dangerous game.

11. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY, DISPUTE,LAND,DEMARCATIOK^

ASSAM.

SEALING THE Border. Hindustan Times. 1983, Aug, 15;6.

The article deals with that the Government's scheme to seal the

borders of Assam and Bengal with Bangladesh is a major step

towards checking infiltration of foreigners into these two

states. The Bengal-Bangladesh border is equally easy to cross.

The Assam agitationists have been rightly demanded fool proof

measures tc seal there borders, ^order secxarity has been

strengthened in recent years but even today infiltration goes on

Chief Minister Saikh's proposal of a mosenary wall along the

 87

border is sensible but not feasible in the context of

Bangladesh's objection. The Banglad Assam border will be fenced

off in two years and the rest in five years. But fencing alone

will not keep the infiltrators away. The number of BSF outparts

will be increased and the average distance between than will be

reduced encroachment is an offence and the 'Government should

take action against the encroachers as well.

12. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,BOUNDARY DISPUTE,LAND,DEI^RCATION,

TRIPURA,BELONIA.

GHOSH (DS). STRATEGY BEHIND Border clashes. Statesman. 1979,

' Dec, 7;3.

The author says that bycontinued, unprovoked firing from across

the border Bangladesh is needlessly causing tension and discente

The setting is Belonia a t®wn of Tripura carssed by the river

^"^uhuri and separated by it from Bangladesh. A recent agreement

assures Dacca a massive 500 million dolar aid from China. DaccA'

stake is clear if the threatened bolkanisation of India's NQrth

east region and West Bengal ever becames a fail accomple the

biggest beneficiary of the development v/ould be Bangladesh.

13, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND, DEKARCATIO;:,

WEST BENGAL, TINBIGHA.

DUA (HK) . India is cornmitfed to pact on Tin Begha, Indian Express

1983, Jun,14;6.

Describes the India is likely to assure the Bangladesh governmen

that it stand committed to the agreement on Tin-Bigha and will

take all necessary steps to implement it soon. The agreement

 88

signed during Lt, Gen. •'^rshad's v i s i t in October, provides for s

prepetual lease of T i n ^ i g h a t o e n a b l e it t o have an access

to its two e n c l a v e s - D a h a g r a m a n d a n g a r p o t a - i n India. Inquiries

made h e r e show t h a t New D e l h i d o e s n o t v/ant t h e T i n Bigha

c o n s i d e r w h i c h i s m e r e l y t h e s i z e of a f o o t b a l l ground to

r e m e r g e a s an i r r i t a n t in t h e relations b e t w e e n t h e two countrie

•"•pparently I n d i a intends t o give the possession of t h e corridor

t o Bangladesh a s soon a s p r a c t i c a l difficulties have been

surmounted.

14. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND, DEMARCATION,

W-BENGAL,TINBIGHA.

ISSUES AT D e l h i D a c c a Summiirt. P a t r i o t . 1982, Sep, 20; 3 .

Paper discusses about t h e impending Indo-Bangladesh Summit

parleys i n t h e O c t o b e r . When G e n - E r s h a d v i s i t India, will take

up wide r a n g i n g s u b j e c t , from t i n Bigha c a r r i d o r and farakka to

d e v e l o p i n g new f o r m s of c o o p e r a t i o n between India and BangaMesh

These w i l l include expanded economic c o o p e r a t i o n as well as

political i s s u e s . However h o p e s a r e w i d e l y e x p r e s s e d i n New

D e l h i a s w e l l a s Dacca t h a t t h e w i s d o m of t h e t v / o s u m m i t leaders

will find some s o l u t i o n to this thorny i s s u e which vitiates

Indo-Bangladesh relation. '

15, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DIS'^'UTE,LAND, DEMARCATION,

W. BENGAL T I N BIGHA.

NEED TO R e c o n s i d e r . Amrita Bazar ^ a t r i k a . 19 7 9 , J a n , 2 1 ; 9 .

The a r t i c l e deals with that t h e agreement between India and

Bangladesh on t h e e x c h a n g e o f some e n c l a v e : s in the northern part

of W . B e n g a l in order t o f a c i l i t a t e administrative coordination

 89

a n d , Ma e a s i e r coiratiunication was s i g n e d by .Mrs Gandhi a n d t h e

l a t e S h e i k Mujib i n May 197ft. Y e t e v e n i n tlTOse d a y s of warm

c o r d i a l i i y t h a t t h e p e o p l e of t h i s s t a t e e n t e r t a i n e d f o r t h e leind

a c r o s s t h e g a n g a , t h e w i J l i n g n e s s on t h e p a r t of ^ e l h i t o h a n d o v e r

t h e e n c l a v e of T i n Beg^a t o B a n g l a d e s h was g e n e r a l l y o p p o s e d b y

two s t a t e . S i n c e p a r l i a m e n t i s yet t o catify the ^ndira-^5ujib

a g r e e m e n t of 1 9 7 4 , ^ w D e l h i s h o u l d o n c e more open negotiation

w i t h Dacca on seme a l t e r n a t i v e a r r a n g r a e n t a b o u t t h e communication

of t h e l a t t e r ' s e n c l a v e s w i t h o u t d i s t u r b i n g t h e p r e s e n t states

of T i n Begha.

16. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND DEri-^RCATIOK,

W-BENGAL, TIN-BIGHA.

SMALL STEP f o r w a r d . H i n d u . 1 9 8 2 , J a n , 18;3

H i g h l i g h t s t h e G e n e r a l framework of t h e a c c o r d b e t w e e n India-and

B a n g l a d e s h on a s t r i p of l a n d . T i n b i g h a which i s a n I n d i a n e n c l a v e ,

ds a small s t e p forward in a n e g o t i a t i o n s t o end t e r r i o r i a l desputes

b e t w e e n t h e two c o u n t r i e s . T h e r e do n o t e n v o l v e w e s t a r e a s but

a r e c o n t i n u i n g i i i r r i t a n t s which h a v e b e e n e x p l o i t e d e s p e c i a l l y by

*^nti-Indian p o l i t i c a l mischief makers in Bangladesh t o bring

some b i t t e r n e s s i n t o b i l a t e r a l r e l a t i o n s . U n d o u b t e d l y New D e l h i

h a s made a c o n c e s s i o n i n p r i n c i p l e o v e r t h e b o u n d a r y question

on t i n b i g h a . T h i s i s s u e a n d t h e d i f f e r e n c e s of Ganga v / a t e r s

w i l l once a g a i n be t a k e n u p \:?hen t h e f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r s of the

two c o n t r i e s m e e t s o o n i n D e l h i .
 90

17. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE LAND, DEr>ARCATIOK,

W-BENGAL, T I N B i a i A .

TIN Bl(3iA l e a s e d o u t . S o v e r e i g n t y r e s t w i t h I n d i a , Hindu 1984 O c t ,

8; 9

P a p e r s t u d i e s a p a r t from i n t e r i n g i n t o two a g r e e i r e n t s , Incia and

B a n g l a d e s h f i n a l i s e d t h e m o d a l i t i e s f o r s e t t i n g on Ganga w a t e r s

i s s u e a n d r e c t e r a t e d t h e i r r e s o l v e t o remove o t h e r m u t u a l relation-

s h i p . T h i s was t h e outcome of t h e v i s i t of B a n g l a d e s h L t . Gen. H.M.

E r s h a d , and h i s t a l k w i t h t h e prime m i n i s t e r Mrs. Gandhi. A j o i n t

communique i s s u e d , a f f i r m e d t h e K e e n e r s of t h e two c o u n t r i e s for

"diversified, d u r a b l e and m u t u a l l y advantageous" cooperation.

The t r a c t . Tin Bigha, t h a t h a s been based t o Bangladesh measures

178 m e t r e s by 85 m e t e r s a n d c o n n e c t s i t s two e n c l a v e s , Dahagram a n d

A n g a r p o t a w i t h t h e n e a r e s t p o i n t i n t h e c o u n t r y . Under t h e

agreement t h e sovereignty over the based area s h a l l continue

t o v e s t in India,

'18, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS', BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND, iiUHURI CHARLAND,

DE FARC AT ION.

ACCORD WITH D a c c a , " i n d u s t a n T i m e s , 1 9 7 9 , Nov, 22;6.

The a r t i c l e d e a l s v/ith t h a t t h e s i g h s of r e l i e f on b o t h s i d e s will

g r e e t t h e •'•ndo-Bangladesh a g r e e m e n t t o p r e v e n t b o r d e r i n c i d e n t s like

t h e o n e s which h a v e b e e n o c c u r i n g a c c r o s s ti\e r i v e r I f e h u r i which

c o n s t i t u t e s t h e b o r d e r b e t w e e n T r i p u r a a n d t h e N o a k h a l i of

B a n g l a d e s h s i n c e November 1 . Under an a g r e e m e n t s i g n e d i n ftugust

1 9 4 , b e t w en t h e two c o u n t r i e s t h e e x i s t i n g b o r d e r h a d t o be

maintained t i l l a new one was d e m a r c a t e d a f t e r a r i v e r h a d c h a n g e d

 91

two countries on the date of rush demarcation. This matter

should have been settled at the level of district officers,

19. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BORDER .DISPUTE, L:-.ND, MUHURI CI-IARLAND,

DEMARCATION.

VJARNING ON B o r d e r t a l k s . I n d i a n E x p r e s s . 1 9 7 9 , D e c , 18;6

P a p e r d e s c r i b e d t h a t i n t h e a s s e n c e of a n y p r o g r e s s towards

a s e t t l e m e n t of t h e I n d i a - B a n g l a d e s h d i s p u t e o v e r charlands

i n a r i v e r on t h e T r i p u r a b o r d e r , t h a t both sides w i l l excercise

t h e maximum r e s t r a i n t i a n o t of much c o n s e q u e n c e . A more o r

l e s s s i m i l a r a s s u r a n c e was g i v e n a f t e r t h e f r u i t l e s s . Meeting

of t h e J . R . C . m e e t i n g i n D a c c a , The New D e l h i t a l k s on t h e

d e l e n e a t i o n of t h e b o r d e r b e t w e e n India and Bangladesh have

u n f o r t u n a t e l y r e v e a l e d t h e p o s s i b l l i t t of a w i d e n i n g of the

a r e a of c o n t e n t i o n . The I n d i a n d e l e g a t i o n t o t h e l a t e s t talks

s u s p e c t s t h a t D a c c a ' s n e g o t i a t o r s a r e no l o n g e r s e r i o u s about

t h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e 1974 a g r e e m e n t . The ^"fehuri r i v e r i s s u e i s not

a m a j o r b o r d e r d i s p u t e and Itias b e e n c r e a t e d by shifting

c u r r e n t s . The e m e r g e n c e o f " c h a r s " was p o s s i b l y a temptation

t o t r y to d e f l e c t the stream t o s u i t t h e i r land grabbing.

i

20. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTEm LA;:D. r>"JHURI CIiL^RLAND,

PARAMILITARY BORCES, FIRING,

BORDER KISUNDERSTANDING. I n d i a n E x p r e s s . 1 9 7 9 , Nov, 14;6.

D e s c r i b e s t h e D i s p u t e s o v e r t h e b i t s of " C h a r " l a n d l i f t by t h e

s h i f t i n g r i v e r s t h a t f l o w i n t o t h e b a y of Ber-igal a r e nothing
 92

new. B a s i c a l l y t h i s i s w h a t a p p e a r s t o h a v e h a p p e n e d on t h e

Indo-Bangladesh border near Belonia in Tripura s t a t e in t h e

l a s t two w e e k s . Both s i d e s h a v e f i r e d , t h e Bangladesh rifles

t o d e t e r I n d i a n c u l t i v a t o r from h a r v e s t i n g o p e r a t i o n s a n d t h e

B . S . F . t o p r o t e s t them. I t s u n f o r t u n a t e t h a t t h e n ^ e t i n g between

t h e i r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a t Comilla in gangladesh did not result

in a settlsment. I n s t e a d e a c h c o m p l a i n e d t h a t t h e o t h e r wad=

b e i n g o b s t i n a t e . S t e p s m u s t b e t a k e n a t a h i g h e r l e v e l of

r e s o l v e t h i s m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g and t o evolve c r i t a r i a t o a v o i d

s i m i l i a r e n c e d e n t s ^n ' f u t u r e .

21. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE^ LAND,MUHURI CHARLAND,

PARAMILITARY FORCES,FIRING.

IRRITANTS. P a t r i o t . 1 9 8 0 , NQV, 1 0 .

P a p e r s t u d i e s t h e p r o t e s t by t h e Bangladesh f o r e i g n office

a g a i n s t u n p r o v o k e d f i r i n g by I n d i a ' s b o r d e r s e c u r i t y force"

makes a m u s i n g r e a d i n g . L a d t week B a n g l a d e s h r i f l e s personnel

f i r e d w i t h o u t p r o v o c a t i o n a c c r o s s t h e borderp on I % h u r i charland

i n T r i p u r a , The c h a r a r e a h a d b e e n t h e s c e n e of recurring

f i r i n g s i n c e l a s t y e a r a n d become a m a j o r i r r i t a n t the land

b o u n d a r y t a l k s . L a s t month o f f i c i a l s of b o t h c o u n t r i e s agreed

t h a t m u t u a l a p p r e h e n s i o n s r e g a r d i n g t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of 1974

I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h l a n d boundary/ p a c t be r e m o v e d . S u r v e y , of some of

t h e 14 e n c l a v e s c o v e r e d by t h e a g r e e m e n t h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n made

After a l l t h e r e v i o l a t i o n s do n o t g i v e o r p r o v e a n y territorial

c o n t r o l t o B a n g l a d e s h , The j o i n t r i v e r s corranission was i n

s e s s i o n a t t h e t i m e of t h e b o r d e r i n c i d e n t m o r e o v e r t h e Mahuri

c h a r l a n d s i n B e l o n i a s u b d i v i s i o n of T r i p u r a h a d b e e n settled
 93

i n f a v o u r of I n d i a . Border i n c i d e n t s donot b e n e f i t neighbours.

22. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE,LArlD, MlJl-'.URI RIVSR

PARAMILITARY FORCES, F I R I N G , J O I N T RIVER COrif-ISSICN TALKS.

INTRANSIGENCE ON G a n g a W a t e r s , H i n d u . 1979, Nov, 23;6.

Highlights the precipitate manner in which Bangladesh rifles

opened f i r e at t h e Muhuri r i v e r c h a r l a n d on t h e Indo-Bangladesh

border, and the p e r s i s t a n c e w i t h which i t has continued thereaftei

sJ.maltaneously with a consciens e f f o r t made b y Bangladesh

government t o keep i t on a l o w k e y d o e s n o t make s e n s e except

i n t e r m s of some m e s s a g e s o u g h t t o b e c o n v e y e d t o India.

B a n g l a d e s h D e p u t y P r i m e M i n i s t e r M r . Ahmad who l e d h i s country's

team a t the J.R.C. talks in Dacca, '-^hat t h e l-iihuri border

i s s u e v/ould be r a i s e d a t the J.R.C. t a l k s . As a g a i n s t that

•'•ndia's a g r i c u l t u r e m i n i s t e r Mr. P r a k a s h told i n Dacca that the

J.R.C. and n o t h i n g t o do w i t h t h e b o r d e r incident and that

there existed a separate committee t o deal with such

subjects.

23. INDO-BANGLADESH RELA^l.^IOKS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND MUHURI CHARLAND,

PARAMILITARY FORCES, F I R I N G , SECRETARY LEV'S: L TALKS , DEMARCATION .

TALK WITH Dacca. Hindustan Times. 1979, Dec;18;9.

Paper deals with the Indo-Bangladesh secratary level talks in

New Delhi got bogged dovm on the Muhuri river dispute. It is
more unfortunate that the Bangladesh delagtion should have
given the impression of questioning the validity of if not
 94

a c t u a l l y r e p u n d i a t i n g t h e 1974 a g r e e m e n t which a p a r t from

s e t t i n g several long standing t e r r i t o r i a l p r o b l e m s l a i d down t o

c l e a r p r i n c i p l e s w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e Muhuri r i v e r itself what

m u t u a l s t e p s on embankments h a v e b e e n t a k e n i n t h e s e p a s t five

years are not c l e a r , 3 u t a f r e s h d i s p u t e h a s new a r i s e n because

t h e c o u r s e h a s c h a n g e d , h a v i n g 44 e c c r e s of new l a n d on t h e

I n d i a n s i d e which Bangladesh p r o m p t l y s t a k e d a c c l a i n u ' B o t h . s i d e s

have p l e d g e d t o s t o p a l l p r o v o c a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g the exchange

of gun f i r e t h a t h a s b e e n g o i n g on f o r some w e e k s ,

24, INDO-BAKGLADESK RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE,LAND, PRRA: ;ILITAHY

FORCES, FIRING.

BORDER DISPUTE. Economic ' J i m e s . 19 7 9 , Nov, 1 0 ; 5 .

P a p e r d i s c u s s e s a b o u t t h e c a r e t a k e r g o v e m n l e n t i n New D e l h i h a s

claimed t h a t i t i s n o t w o r r i e d by t h e r e c e n t e x c h a n g e of fire

b e t w e e n t h e B a n g l a d e s h R i f l e s a n d t h e b o r d e r SecT-irity F o r c e ,

Dacca g o v e r n m e n t h a s a l l e g e d t h a t i t h a s a b s o l u t e r i g h t t o the

disputed land. Indian farmers i n t h e a r e a ajre b e i n g shielded

b y BSF. I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h a g r e e m e n t of May 1 6 , 1 9 7 4 , demarcated

t o l a n d b o u n d a r y b e t w e e n t h e two c o u n t r i e s . New D e l h i advaoifeing

a l i n k c a n a l b e t w e e n Ganga a n d B r a h m p u t r a a n d f o r t h e constructior

of 12 s t o r a g e c l a m p on t h r e e m a j o r ^"epali t r i b u t r a r i e s . The

c a r e t a k e r g o v e r n r e n t c o u l d n o t t a k e any p o l i c y d e c i s i o n s , Mr,

Z i a u r Rehman a n d t h e n e x t I n d i a n P r i m e M i n i s t e r w i l l h a v e a

g r e a t d e a l t o t a l k a b o u t , b u t u n t i l t h e n , Efacca clearly

bide time.
 95

25, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE,FARAKILITARY FORCES,

FIRING.

FIRING ON THE Border. Tribune. 1979, Dec, ?7;6.

Highlights both India and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their

intension to adhere to the 1974 boundary agreement, ^-^st of the

doubts and uncertainities that arose'during the Indo-Bangladesh

official level talks in Delhi have also been removed. Reports fron

Agartala indicate that there have also been intrusions by

Bangladesh nationals into the "Char" (island) land of Belonia

under cover of the firing. The dispute seems pointless also

because the inland covers barley 44 acres. Certain other

developments are equally intriguing owing a freecjuent political

changes the necessary amendment has not so far been made but

the Government of India has implemented the, accord in the

right sprit. In recent years the Government of India has gone

out of its way to win the good will of Bangladesh in the sprit of

good neighbourliness. But the gestures have not been fully

reciprocated.

26. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DlSP'.TEi, FARAMLITARY FORCES,

FIRING.

GUPTA ( S h e k h a r ) . I n d i a n Jawan k i l l e d i n S a n g l a a m b u s h . Indian

Express. 1982, Mayv 1 6 .

The a u t h o r d i s c u s s e s t h a t a column of t h e I n d i a n army was

a m b u r s h e d by B a n g l a d e s h r d f l e s i n s i d e Bangladesh territory

on m a r c h , l a . Q n e jav/an d i e d and two w e r e i n j u r e d . T h e r e v/as no

 96

casualty on Bangladesh side, Lat?r the Bangladesh authorities

are reported to have protested about the "encursion" to the
^ndian authorities. The jawans were on a counter-insurgency
mission. Army officers experienced in counterwensurgency
operations say it is not unusual for patrols frorr, either
side to stray in alien territory, Skermishes are a rare occurence

27. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS^ BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND, PARAMILITARY

FORCES, FIRING.

USEFUL UNDER STANDING. Patriot. 1984^x^16; 3.

The a r t i c l e deals with t h a t i t i s a matter of s a t i s f a c t i o n for

both India and Bangladesh t h a t the two sides have reached
an understanding over steps t o reduce tensions the border,
A f i r s t step the decision of the heads of I n d i a ' s B,S.F. and the
Bangladesh Rifles (HDR) t o reduce the strength of aflditional
forces brought t o the border Jtareas consequent's Dacca's over
r e a c t i o n t o D e l h i ' s decision t o e r e c t barbed wire fencing inside
^ndian t e r r i t o r y along the border with Bangladesh. Instead
of p e r i o d i c a l l y working up a frenzy of what ^ndia l e g i t i m a t e l y
does on i t s side of the border, i t would befiefit both the
c o u n t r i e s of Bangladesh got down t o removing the causes which
forced i t s c i t i z e n s t o seek b e t t e r fortunes in t h i s country.
 97

28. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND, PARAMILITARY

FORCES FIRING, COMMANDERS'TALKSjrt TRIPURA, BELONIA.

NOT A technical lapse. Econ and Pol wklv, 15;1. 1980 Ja, 5;1.

Describes the firing along the India-Bangladesh border that

has been going on almost continously since the begining of

November last shows nosigns of abating, and the latest flag

meeting between the sector commanders of the BSF and the

Bangladesh Rifles at Belonia has not led to any agreement on the

ending the firing across the border in which the civilian

populations have probably suffered more casualties than the armed

forces ofi the two countcies. This more than anything else dictates

that such tensions in the relations between the two countries

will continue,

29. INDO-BANCaJ\DSSH RELATIONS,BORDER DISPUTE,LAND, HARAMILITARY FORCES^

FIRING, TRIPURA, BELONIA.

DHTTA-RAY (Sunanda K) . D a c c a ' s S e i g e m e n t a l i l s y . E y o r c i z i n g t h e

G h o s t of Shielch I ^ j i b . S t a t e s m a n . 1 9 8 1 , May, 2 2 ; 6 .

• The a u t h o r d i s c u s s e s t h a t i t i s l u d i c r o u s t h a t I n d i a a n d

B a n g l a d e s h s h o u l d e v e n t h i n k of e n d u l g i n g i n w h a t m i g h t e l s e

where have been c a l l e d gunboat deplomacy. L a s t y e a r Belonia

firings s h o u l d h a v e w a r n e d New D e l h i a n d Dacca of t h e d a n g e r of

argximents o v e r t h e most t r i v a l issues geeerating t h e i r own

momentum. I t i s more i m p o r t a n t , p e r h a p s t o s e p a r a t e public

a t t i t u d e from g o v e r m e n t a l p o l i c y , e x o r c i z i n g t h e s h a d e of

S h a e i k h ^ 4 I j i b u r Rahman memories of whose u n i q u e r o l e a n d

 98

martyrdom hamper, t h i n k i n g on both s i d e s of the border,

preventing endependent assessments based on contemporary
r e a l i t y . To many Indian t h i s might seem l i k e sacriligiously
repundiating the memory of Sheikh J u j i b Dacca w i l l continue t o viei
New Delhi v/ith suspicious u n t i l l i t has been convinced t h a t
the g o s t of lyiuj ib has been l a i d .

30. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, LAND, PARAMILITARY

FORCES, FIRING, TRIPURA, BELONIA.

QUESTIONABLE MEANS. Times Of India. 1979, Nov, 28;6.

Discusses although India and Bangladesh reiterated their desire

to prevent border incidents at the meeting of the joint
river commission, the personnel of the Bangladesh Rifles have
not stopped their firing on Belonia across the i^'luhuri under the
1974 agreement between two nations the Muhuri forms the
'international border in Belonia sector but the actual boundary
has not yet been demarcated. The Indo Bangladesh joint river
commission has done well therefore to agree to demolish not
only all new spurs but also such other constructions on or along
border rivers that contravene the recommendations of its experts
committee.

31. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, FARITIFi,DEMARCATION.

INDO-BANGLADESH t i e s . Indian Express. 1975, Ap, 4 ; 9 .

Paper deals with the "exhaustive" Indo-Bangladesh p a r l e y s

during the l a s t t h r e e days on the complex problem of finding
a s e t t l e m e n t of t h e maritime boundary between the two c o u n t r i e s
 99

appear to have ended without the emergence of a fxtm basis

for an agreement. The iinresolved problem over the maritime
boundary is not entirely of a technical nature and- is not
susceptible to a solution at the expert level on the basis
of agreed norms. There are some other bilateral issues between
the two countries are also pending resulation; Farakka is one inst
nee in this context. Itteasa much greater chance of succeding
of all pending issues are dealt with as a package in an
overall agreement,

32, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MARITII'E,

DE^ARCATION.

MARITir^ TALKS at Sea. >bther land, 1975, Apr, 5;9,

The article deals with that of a settlement of maritime

boundary between India and Bangladesh has become a complex
issue, it is not because of any difficulties of technical
nature. In the case of Indo-Bangladesh maritime boundary
the base points incontrovertdbly lie on either side of
the Haribunga river which runs along the land fronteer
of the two countries. The boundary dispute has arisen because
Bangladesh neither followed the established procedure nor
sought an agreement with India. The three days parleys in
Delhi narrowed down the difference between the two countries
but a firm basis for agreement eluded them. This apa^rt, the
fact that there are several bilateral issues which have
remained unresolved in spite of the excellent political
relations.
 100

33. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MARITIME,

DEMARCATION.

WILL TO Settle. Hindustan Times. 1975, Apr, 9; 6.

Paper describes it will be of some concern and consequence

if India aid Bangladesh fail in other next meeting in Dacca
to reach an amicable settlement over their maritirt^ boundary.
The issue is now being handled at as high a level as that
of foreign ministers, the secrateries and experts having
already completed their part of the discussions. The dispute
over the maritime boundary between India and Bangladesh stems
from the obvious differences in the critaria on which each
is marking its claim for the control and exploitation of the
resources of the sea bed. India of course, recognises the
greater urgency which the issue has for Bangladesh, Provided
a political will for compromise exist both countries should
be able to avoid forcing either into positions which could
weaken them into in regard to their domestic critics or in
relation to their other Indian ocean neighbours,

34. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MARITII4E, NEW

MOORE ISLAND, BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

CAUTION IN the way. Statesman, 1981, Sep, 10;6,

Highlights the claims by New Delhi and Dacca t o have "defused"

t e n s i o n over t h e d i s p u t e d i s l a n d in the Bay of Bengal might
have seemed more convincing if accompained by evidence of
Bangladesh's acceptance of t h e Indian p o s i t i o n . But in the
 101

a b s e n c e of a n y i n d i c a t i o n of a g r e e m e n t on substantive

i s s u e s , l a s t S u n d a y ' s s i n a i t a n e o u s a n n o u n c e m e n t s c a n n o t mean

more t h a n t h a t t h e t w o Governments h a v e d e c i d e d a g a i n s t pro-

v o c a t i v e and p o t e n t i a l l y d a n g e r i o u s a c t i o n a t Sea, This is

a welcome d n p r o v e m e n t on t h e l u d i c r o u s n a v a l manoeuvres

e a r l i e r t h i s y e a r when I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h b o t h seemed

i n d a n g e r of f o r g e t t i n g t h e i r p e r m a n e n t i n t e r e s t in stable

amity,

35, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, ^V^RITIWE, NEW

MOORE ISLAND, BJ5Y OF BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

FUTIDE EXERCISE, National Herald. 1981, Aug, 20; 6,

Paper discusses about the Anti india demonstration xby

the l 7 - p a r t y National front was yet another demonstration
of the f r u s t r a t i o n of t h e s e , groups. However such a n t i - I n d i a
demonstration are not new in Dacca, There are some outstanding
i s s u e s t o be sorted out between Delhi and Dacca and the
governments of both s i d e s are t r y i n g t o resolve than in an
amicable manner. I t must be admitted t h a t successive Bangladesh
governments have taken a mature view of bij^ateral issues
l i k e farakka waters and New HDcre i s l a n d could Indo-Bangladesh
t i e s . Indeed Dacca i s expected t o view b i l a t e r a l and regional
issues in a border p e r s p e c t i v e . We do hope t h a t Bangladesh
would cooperate with India in e s t a b l i s h i n g peace and s t a b i l i t y
in the region.
 102

36. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, FARITIIIE

NEW MOORE ISLAND, BAY OF BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

HAPPY TURNING. Times of India. 1981, Sep, 876.

Paper discusses about the relations between India and Bangladesh

strained for quite some time now, have suddenly taken the
turn for the better. The two sides have managed to "defuse"
the tension over the New Moore island and Bangladesh foreigner
J^inister, Mr. Shamsul Haq, is arriving in De^ihi for taks with
Mr. Narasinihfa Rao with a view to removing the remaining causes
of tension and resolving the issue. As the statement issued
jointly by Delhi and Dacca on Sunday night linderscores.
Painstaking negotiations spread over several weeks took place
in both capital before it became possible to reverse the
earlier trend of escalating tension that reached the ^ flash
point when Bangladesh despatched its gunboats to NewMoore and
India respond by sending its Naval vessels to protect its
claim to the island.

37. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, r^LARITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND,BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

GHOSE ( S ) . L i m i t s of d i p l o m a c y s B a n g l a d e s h r o s t h . Main s t r e a m .

1 9 ; 5 2 . 1 9 8 1 , Aug, 29;28-30.

P a p e r h i g h l i g h t s t h e c r i t i c s of I n d i a ' s f o r e i g n policy

o f t e n a l l ege t h a t ^ndian diplomacy h a s f a i l e d t o reassure

t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g c o u n t r i e s of I n d i a i s good n e i g h b o u r l e n e s s .

D i p l o m a c y a s a t o o l of f o r e i g n p o l i c y h a s i t l i m i t s . It alone

does n o t determine foreign r e l a t i o n s . I n c a s e of India's

 103

Bangladesh policy critics would allege that the New Delhi

administration has failed to reassure its Dacca counterpart
of its good intents and the present suspecion in Dacca is
a direct outcome of that. They would cite the recent controversy
over New Moore as a case in point, and argu that New Delhi
could have easily agreed to the %ngladesh proposal of a
joint survey and allyad the letters fears of Indian advanturism.
Any analysis of India Bangladesh relations must be preceded
by a discussion of Bangladesh's emage of India and the role
of the India factor in its domestic politics.

38. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, FARITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND, BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEI^iRCATION.

GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS. Hindustan Times. 1981, Sep, 8; 9.

Highlights it is interesting news that the India and Beggladesh

have decided to and the climate of confrantation over New Moore
island and opted for the states manlike course of consultations
and ^'Negotiations. With Bangladesh foreign minister Shamsul Haq
is projected visit to Delhi to sort out the issue with
external affairs minister Narasirriha Rao, it is clear that
better sense has prevailed the decision by Shamsul Haq to make
the trip to Delhi for negotiation is of a piece with the
new stance of pragmatism that has become apparent in Dacca.
 104

39. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MARITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND, BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY : New moore island. Indian express. 1981,

May, 19; 5.

The asticle deals with that surely there are better methods
of resolving a dispute with a small neighbour over a teny
island than through the Indian version of gunboat diplomacy.
Assuming that the provocation was all on Bangladesh's side
and that Indian ^%val patrol vessels had to be sent to the
vicinity of the New Moore island to warn o6f Bangladesh,
TO

was it necessary to blow up the incident into a major row?

Official media and ubiquitous "sources" who are no mystery
to anyone, connected the Bangladesh action to a persistent
anti-India compaign in the Bangladesh press timed with the
retuim to Dacca of Mrs. Hasina Waxed. To be sure, India most
make it clear to its neighbours that it has some basic
geopolitical and stratigic interests to safeguard, and can
rightly expect them not to go against these interest.

40. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE,MARITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND,BAY-OF-BENGAL DEMARCATION.

INDERJIT. Thaw in Delhi Dacca relations. Economic Times.

1981, Sep, 29; 5.

Attempts to explain the India's relations v^rith Bangladesh

foreign mimister to New Delhi, To bigin with the irritation
 105

a n d t e n s i o n o v e r t h e New Moore i s l a n d o r s o u t h T a l p a t t y , as

Bangladesh c a l l s i t , h a s been defused and agreement reached

t o h o l d t a l k s on t h e i s s u e d u r i n g t h e comrning month initially

a t t h e l e v e l of t h e f o r e i g n s e c r e t a r i e s . F o r e i g n minister

P r o f . Haq showed e a g e r n e s s d u r i n g h i s s e b s i q u e n t t a l k s with

P . V . Narshemha Rao t o work f o r a s o l u t i o n of various

o u t s t a n d i n g p r o b l e m s b e t w e e n t w o c o u n t r i e s . Among o t h e r

t h i n g s p r o p o s a l s f o r r e m o v i n g t h e r e m a i n i n g c a u s e s of tension

o v e r t h e New ^ b o r e i s l a n d were c o n s i d e r e d a n d b r o a d l y accepted.

T a l k s b e t w e e n t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s on t h e m a r i t i m e b o u n d a r y were

r e s u m e d i n 1978 u n d e r p r e s i d e n t Z e a - u r Rahman w h a t of t h e

f u t u r e ? The New Moore i s s u e s s h o u l d b e r e s o l v e d peacifully

on t h e b a s i s of f a c t s a n d f a i r n e s s . The l o n g t e r m i n t e r e s t of

I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h l i e i n l i v i n g a s good n e i g h b o u r s

in peace and amity,

41. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,BOUNDARY DISPUTE,MARITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND, BAY-OF-BENGAL DEMARCATION.

INDIA AND Bangladesh, Hindustan Times. 1981, Jan, 3.

Highlights xantill the moment of Manzoor's itiisadventure, ties betwe

Delhi and Dacca had been on the downslide, mainly due to a

delibirately whipped up anti-Indian compaign in Bangladesh

over ^^ew Moore island and over Indi's alleged hand in the

return home of Mrs. Hasina Wazed. With president Zia opting to

exploit the two issues to devert domestic discontent, relations

had but a new low. A new begining is in the offing and it, is

time for some introspection in New Delhi about the chequired

course of its relations with Dacca. India has bent over back-
 106

wards in accommodating its ten years old neighbour.

42. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MARITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND, BAY-OP-BENGAL,DEMARCATION.

INDIA BANGLADESH RELATIONS, Econ a n d P o l w k l y . 1 9 8 1 , May, 2 3 ;

925.

Paper h i g h l i g h t s t h e both ^ndian and Bangladesh have been

making b e l l e g e r e n t n o i s i s o v e r t h e new more i s l a n d s i n the

Bay of B e n g a l vAiich B a n g l a d e s h c a l l s T a l p a t t y . The D i s p u t e

o v e r "New moore" o r t ^ u r b a s h a ' 4 km from t h e S u n d e r b a n s region

of I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h which e m e r g e d l a s t y e a r , is merely

one of t h e i s s u e s which d i v i d e t h e t w o n e i g h b o u r e r s ; others

i n c l u d e F a r a k k a a n d t h e s h a r i n g of ^ a n g a w a t e r s , ratification

a n d e m p l e m e n t a t i o n of t h e 1974 l a n d b o u n d a r y a g r e e m e n t by

^ n d i a a n d t h e d e l i n e a t i o n of t h e m a r i t i m e a n d r e v e r i n e

b o u n d a r y . I n f a c t t h e I n d i a n s t a t e m e n t of May 19 t h a t "irami-

d i a t e j o i n t syirvey" was " s p r e m a t u r e a n d n o t r e l e v a n t " a t

present, s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e a s s e r t i o n by B a n g l a d e s h that

I n d i a h a d i n f o r m a l l y a c c e p t e d a j o i n t suirvey i s correct.

43. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE,MARITIME,

NEW MOBRE ISLAND, BAY OF BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

INDIA BAITING i s D a c c a ' s p l a y i n home p o l i t i c s . A m r i t a Bazar

Patrika. 1 9 8 1 , May, 1 7 ; 6.

D i s c u s s e s i t w i l l be i n t h e i n t e r e s t of n e i t h e r B a n g l a d e s h nor

I n d i a t o b l o w up t h e s o - c a l l e d d i s p u t e b e t w e e n t h e two countries
 107

over the new-moore island in Bay of Bengal dispute over the

"Char" lands are not unknovm to either Bengal and the controversy
over the new island is almost of a similiar nature except
for the fact that the parties involved are two separate
government, India is sosure of its title to the island that
it denies the existence of any despute, it has not refered
to try to convence Bangladesh of the justification of its
case. The exchanges between the two govfernments have been
containing for some time, and the sudden flurry in Bangladesh
over it would appear puzzling unless viewed in the context
of internal development of the country,

44, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, KiARITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND,BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

ISLAND IN the sun. Statesman. 1981, May, 26; 9,

The article deals with that the general Zia-ur-Rahman*s promise

of appropriate measures to solve the New Moore island dispute,
and suggestion of an alleged, international conspiracy against
Bangladesh are hardly likely to create an atmosphere conducive
to amicable negotiations. Taken together and treated as
aspects of the same problem these controversies can only
further exacerbate tension and sustain the quite fallacious
notion that in some way India threatens Bangladesh's sovereignty.
It would therefore, be an act of satesmanship in both Delhi
and Dacca to isolate individual problems and treat each one
separately and on ment. The onus now is General Zia to demonstrate
that he can serve the cause of subcontinental stability by
not losing his sense of perspective. Over New I-loore island.
 108

45. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, B0UN3DARY DISPUTE/ MASITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND, BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

MENON (NC), Dulcet tries from Dacca. Hindustan Times. 1981,

Sep,9.

The auther discusses that it was just a few days ago that
Bangladesh was atleast trying to roar like a lion, on the
issue of the disputed New Moore island. Dacca must have known
that rushing about Moore island in provocative fashion would
hardly empress India, nor would it put the fear of God into the
Indian Navy. Any way ace looks at it. Dacca's attempt to try
gunboat diplomacy with India was nothing short of international
madness. Bangladesh is not particularly well-endowed with means
of any kind and its leaders are not mad enough to take on
India.

46. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MARITIME, NEW MOORE

ISLAND, BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEMARCATION,

MITRA (Sumit). New Moore Island,: Territorial tug-of-water.

India Today.1981, June, 1; 80-83,

Gives an account of Dacca authorities came to know about the

island in 1978, four years after India had detected it, and
a year after the British Admirally charts had showed it as
Indian territory. Bangladesh claimed it to be her own from the
day its existance was known to her. The diplomatic tug of-war
over the island continued between the two countries for over
 109

two years, during which India agreed to exchange scientific

data but never promised-as Bangladesh has later claimed
to carry out a joint survey. However, the New Moore controversy
marks a new phase in abrupt, unpredictable and melo dramatic
political dvelopments in Bangladesh,

47, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MAfflTIME,

NEW MOORE ISLAND, BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

PETULANT GESTURE, Times of India. 1981, May, 1976.

The article deals with that the A certain amount of prickliness

is unfortunately built into Bangladesh relationship with
two country. Even, so the Bangladesh authorities have xcarried
things too far in allowing their gunboats to stage a series of
provocative forays into the water. Surrounding the Indian island
of New Moore, in Bay of Bengal, It v;as only in 1979 when the
Janata government was distracted by its own dimensions that
Bangladesh first staked its claim to New l^^ore. The matter
however being discussed between the two sides and as Mr,
Narasiniha Rao told Parliament only the othesr day, was expected
to be settled in India's favour. Soon, Moreover the previously
scheduled visit to this country next month by Bangladesh foreign
minister should provide an apportunity, if not to settle the
New Moore controversy, at least to cut it down to its propose
proportions.
 110

48. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MARITIME,

NEW MOORE ISLAND, BAY-OF-BENGAL, DEMARCATION.

SENSE OVER new moore. National Herald. 1981, Sep, 8.

Paper studies it is only cominon sense for India and Bangladesh

to obt for the status quo anti over new Moore island.
It was only 1,5 square kilometers in the area then, but
over the years the surface above the sea has grown to 12
square kms. Situated only 5200 meters from the Indian coast
and over 7500 mts from Bangladesh it created a controversy which
is entirely unwarranted. The New Moore island case is an
example of how nsm unnecessary irritants dev=^lop in relaxations
between neighbours,

49. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS^ BOUNDARY DISPUTE, MARITIME,

NEW MOORE ISLAND,BAY-OP-BENGAL, DEMARCATION, MINISTERIAL LEVEL
TALKS.

PROMISING DIALOGUE. Hindu. 1981, Sep, 17; 6.

Paper studies with the most reassuring asp<pct of two days

of tallcs in New Delhi between Mr. NaraSinh^ Rao and Mjr,
Shamsul Haq is that India and Bangladesh will be making an
earnest attempt to improve bilateral relations. The dialogue
is to be continued next month in •'^acca between Senior officials
of the two countries and both sides have underlined their
determination to try constantly to resolve outstaading problems
between than in a sprit of mutual understanding and good
neighbourleness. The Indian government has withdrawns the
 Ill

BSF men stationed on new Moore island. New ^ore is only

one of the issues that have been irritant^ in bilateral
relations.

50. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC.

BUCKLING DOWN to it. Hindustan Times. 1972, Jan, 11; 5.

The article deals with that it is clear from the extensive

discussions ranging over five days that preceded the joint
comntunique issued by the foreign minister? of Bangladesh and
India that a wide range of problems facing the country were
examined in some depth. The first thing to be done in
Bangladesh is to res^Hne normalcy. A country that has been
devasted by a brutal regime will take time to for get the wrongs
inflicted and now that the healing touch of the Sheikh is readily
available, the process will be speeded up. Now that the high
drama that began nine months ago has come to a happy conclusion
with the Sheikh assuming the leadership of the Government in
Bangladesh, both countries should buckle down to the interrupted
task of economic development,

51. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL RELATIONS.

BEGINING OF THE new chapter of trust.Hindm. 1982, Oct, 7; 3.

Attempts to explain the P.M. Mrs. Gandhi recalled the

sacrifices the people of Bangladesh had to make jor their
libration at a banquit hosted in honour of Lt. Gen. Ershad.
"We in India wish for one close friends" the P.M. said,"what
we want for ourselves-political strength apd economic ability
to fulfill the expectations of the people. Mrs. Gandhi said.
 112

"May this visit be the starting point of a new chapter of trust an

cooperation between our two countries.

52. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION.

REDEEMING A pledge. Statesman. 1982, May, 27;9.

Gives description regarding the decision to set up a joint

commission to promote economic and technical cooperation between
India and Bangladesh suggest a welcome, if bilated, reaaffir-
mation of shared interests. The memorandum of understanding
on technical assistance that was signed last December paved
the way for the present decision and holds out the promise of
more constructive ties in future. If an effort is now made
to redeem that pledge, it might even enable New Delhi and
Dacca to tackle tbose bilateral disputes that still vitiate
the political climate.

53. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, BORDER TRADE.

INDIA AND Bangladesh. Financial Express. 1972, Jan, 11;4,

Paper discusses about the ^ndia has given an assurance of

full cooperation in the economic reconstruction of Bangladesh
the shortage of essential commodities now being keenly f*4t
in angladesh will be relieved by urgent supplies from India,
Border trade between the two countries, which had been frozen
for many years will be resamed immidiately. The restorations
will give a strong fillip to Bangladesh's economy, which had
been ruthlessly ravaged by the military regime. The New Delhi
communique has reiterated the common ideal and policies Xof
two governments.
 113

54, INDO-BANO^ADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, COOPERATION.

CLOSERTIES. Times of India. 1972, J\in, 13; 9.

Paper discribes the scape of cooperation with Bangladesh

in economic and other spheres is being rapidly widened.
With the immidiate problems largely overcome, the new government
in Dacca has had time to look into the border issues of
building an infrastructure to support reconstruction and push
development facilities for training Bangladesh students in
technologies of interests to them are to be provided in India,
The agreement on cooperation in space exploration and peaceful
uses of atomic energy represents at this stage an aspiration
rather than a programme for early implementation,

55. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION,

SABHERWAL (OP). Dacca Talks marks new phase, Mainstreem,

18; 52, 1980, Aug, 23;11»

The author says that it is gradually begining to be realised

in Dacca that Indo-Bangladesh cooperation in the economic
field can open the door for immense benefits for both, and
even more for the people of Bangladesh, It is in this context
that a long term solution of the Farakka waters problem can be
found, ^either country need to be fussyabout one or other solution
provided long term economic interests of both countries are
simaltaniously served. The Indian proposal for a link
 114

canal based largely in Bangladesh territory can be justified

only if it confirms to this acid test and if it does,
eventual acceptance of it by Bangladesh can be won. The
scape of economic cooperation projects which a forum of the
type proposed can take up can be so wide as to need spelling
out. If the idea is to begin with specific issues and gradually
to broaden the scope that too needs to be clearly specified.

56. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL

ASSISTANCE.

INVESTING IN friendship.Statesman. 1982, NQV, 20.

Paper describes the decisions of the Indo-Bangladesh joint

economic commission are important as much for their expected
yield as for what they reveal of more positive political
thinking in Delhi and Dacca, Hence the recent agreement on
generous financial and technological assistance which might
help to irevive an economy that faces an acute shortage of
foreign exchange and has baen straved of external investment
funds since 1981, If the good will than generated is tactfully
nurtured, it might even eventually lead to a sensible solution
of the problem of sharing and developing water resources.
 115

57. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE AND RIVER VJATER

TRANSPORT.

IRRITAI^TT REl-:OVED,Ainrita B a z a r ^ a t r i k a . 1 9 8 2 , Aug, 7; 3 .

H i g h l i g h t s t h e one of t h e i r r i t a n t s in Indo-Bangladesh relations

h a s b e e n removed by t h e p r o t o c o l j u s t s i g n e d a t Dacca on inland

w a t e r t r a n s i t and t r a d e . I n d i a n v e s s e l s have been u s i n g t h e

JaiTtuna B r a h a m p u t r a a n d K u s h e a r a r i v e r r o u t e s i n t e r m s of an

a g r e e a e n t w i t h B a n g l a d e s h f o r t h e t r a n s p o r t of essential

c o m m o d i t i e s from o t h e r p a r t s of ^ n d i a t o r i v e r p o r t s i n Assam.

But a b i g g e r e r r i t a n t is the continuing, dispute over the

d i s t r i b u t i o n of F a r a k k a w a t e r s . U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e r e h a s b e e n

n o c h a n g e i n D a c c a ' s a t t i t u d e which c a n h a r d l y be considered

r e a s o n a b l e of f a i r a s i t c o m p l e t e l y i g n o r e s India's national

interests.

58. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PRIVATE, JUTE,

FAREWELL AND H a i l . Economic T i m e s . 1 9 7 2 , I-iar, 1 6 ; 5.

P a p e r h i g h l i g h t s t h e c e r e m o n i a l l e a v e , t a k i n g by t h e Indian

armed f o r c e s of B a n g l a d e s h e a r l y t h i s w e e k . The f i r s t event

s y m b o l i z e s t h e e n d of I n d i a ' s e m o t i o n a l c o m i t m e t t t o Bangladesh

a n d of t h e m i l i t a r y e n v o i v e m e n t t h a t b r o u g h t a b o u t i t s birth.

With t h e -^ndian r e g i m e n t a l f l a g s h a u l e d dov/n i n B a n g l a d e s h , The

Indian presence w i l l be l e s s v i s i b l e i n t h a t l a n d Diplomacy w i l l

h e n c e f o r t h be t h e o n l y c h a n n e l of s h a r i n g e a c h o t h e r ' s hopes,

n e e d s a n d f e a r s . The p r o b l e m of t r a d e betv/een t h e two c o u n t r i e s

 116

i s a good example. The m i n i s t r y of foreign t r e d e informed

p a r l i a m e n t in answer t o a question t h a t no proposal t o firm a

j u t e community between India and Bangladesh " has taken shape"

New Delhi i s probably w a i t i n g for Dacca t o make the first

move.

59, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC,TRADE, PUBLIC.

BANGLA-IIIDIA ACCORD. Economic T i m e s . 1 9 7 2 , F e b , 9 ; 5 .

G i v e s a n a c c o u n t of b o n d s betv/een I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h more

f i r m l y r o o t e d i n r e a l i t h t h a n i d e a l i s m . M r s . Gandhi a n d Sheikh

Mujibur h a s a g r e e d t o s e t up a p p r o p r i a t e machinery t o promote

close cooperation in the fields of e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t a n d

t r a d e . There h a s a l s o been i n e x p l i c a b l e delay in s i g n i n g a t r a d e

agreement between Bangladesh and I n d i a , India and Bangladesh

n e e d t o c o o p e r a t e e a c h o t h e r . The s t a t i s t i c p o l i t i c a l geography

of B a n g l a d e s h r e q u i r e s most dynamic a n d s e n s i t i v e handling.

The p r i m e m i n i s t e r Ijave d e c i d e d t o r e m a i n i n c l o s e t o u c h on t h e

i n t e r n a t i o n a l s i t u a t i o n and " t h e danger t o peace and p r o g r e s s

in t h e r e g i o n . "

60, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC,

BHAtlA (VS), Promoting economic colloboration with Bangladesh.

Capital. 1972, Jly, 27; 53-55.

Economic colloboration v/ith Bangladesh has many dimensions, and

as a practical exercise it might be necessary to analyse some

6f the economic factors. There is a need for scruting of different

aspects pertaining to foreign trade, agriculture. Industry and

 117

general a d m i n i s t r a t i o n . Bangladesh w i l l need h e l p , p a t i e n c e

and knov/ledge of technology plus p r a c t i c a l economics, I-luch
of t h e r e i s a v a i l a b l e from ^ndia, Ho\irever technology t e l l s one
only what can be done and economics a d v i s e s what i s t o be
done; in t h i s p a r t of t h e world p o l i t i c s w i l l determine what
w i l l be done,

61, IND0-BANGLAD2SH RELATIONS,ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC,

ENDURING PARTNERSHIP. Financial Express. 1972, Feb, 9;4.

Discusses about the visit of Sheikh Mujiv to Calcutta as

^'rime minister of Bangladesh linked to India by the bonds of
an enduring friendship, sealed in bloodshed in a common cause,
the sours left by the partition in eastern India twenty five years
ago will have been completely blotted out. The talks which
Mrs, Gandhi and the Sheikh had in Calcutta covered a wide
ground and have laid the basis for conrprehensive long term
cooperation between the two countries. The tv/o prime minister
rightly agreed that trade between the two countries should be
mainly on a Government to Government basis. There can be no
doubt that cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the
economic and international sphetes v;ill introduce a new element
of stability and progress in the Indian sub-continant and in
South Asia,

62, ItJDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC,

FRIENDLY WATERS. Ipdian Express. 1972, Nov, 3;6.

Gives an account of the resumption of inland water transport

and trade between India and Bangladesh will further strengthen the
 118

ties between the two countries. Trade between the two countries
has not moved as fast since than as was expected. The slow
pace was due largely to transportation difficulties, because
protocol on inland waterways and rail communications had still
to be signed, -'-n the mean time the three teer trading pattern,
agreed on in March was revised to do away with border trade
to checlc smuggling. The eastern region of the subcontinent is
criss-crossed with big and small rivers and inland .-ateirways
play a big past in its economy.

63. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TR/\DE, PUBLIC.

JOSHI (Navin Chandra), Economic cooperation between India and

Bangladesh Swarajya. 1973, May, 5; 20-21.

Gives description regarding the economic relations between

India and Bangladesh have to be viewed in an entirely different
perspective. In the short run India will have to be the major
trading pastner of Bangladesh, As a matter of rraitual economic
cooperation betv/een the two countries, restrictions on imports
of some food items from India have been lifted by Bangladesh.
An important aspect of economic cooperation between the two
nations will centre around credit and prices. In the transitional
period, the imbalance may be of the order of Rs, 35 to 45 crores
" per year. Our Banking services can also be fruitfully availed
of by that coxintry.
 119

64. ItTDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC .

NEW PHASE, Financial Express. 1974, My, 18; 4.

Paper describes the most obvious merit of the set of economic

cooperation agreements signed by India and Bangladesh following
a summit meeting betv;een their prime ministers in New Delhi
this week is that both nations are beginnings to look at their
mutual problems in a new. down to erth perspective. There is
just the right amount of syrup in the joint declaration signed
by Mrs. GandHi and Sheikh Mujib, but that is perhaps inescapable
when a touchy and potentially explosive problem like the sharing
of Ganga waters remains to be difused,

65. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIC::S, ECONOMIC,TRADE, PUBLIC.

STRENGTHENING COOPERATION, I n d i a n E x p r e s s . 1 9 8 3 , Aug, 2 3 ; 6.

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t t h e s e c o n d m e e t i n g of Indo-Bangla

j o i n t c o m m i s s i o n i n Dacca s h o u l d h o p e f u l l y consolidated

e m e r g i n g c o m m e r c i a l a n d c u l t u r a l t i e s betv/een t h e two c o u n t r i e s .

The I n d i a n f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r I-lr. N a r a s i m h a Rao t o d i s c u s s with

h i s c o u n t e r p a r t Gen. E r s h a d o t h e r r r e t t e r s of m u t u a l interest.

F o r t h e r e s t t h e t w o s i d e s d i s c u s s e d a v a r i e t y of m e a s u r e s to

p r o m o t e e c o n o m i c c o o p e r a t i o n a n d e n s u r e more b a l a n c e d trade

V7hich a t p r e s e n t i s h a v i l y i n I n d i a ' s favour.

66. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC,TRADE,PUBLIC.

^ VER^'iA . (PC) , Geographical concentration of foreign trade of
India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, r^pqin, 13;1. 1980, Oct;62-74.

Gives an account of the hypothesis for geographical concentration

 120

of f o r e i g n T r a d e h a v e h a r d l y b e e n t e s t e d . This paper is

devided into following s e c t i o n s , ( l ) The m e t h o d s f o r measurement

of c o n c e n t r a t i o n . ( i i ) the hypothesis for geographical

c o n c e n t r a t i o n of f o r e i g n t r a d e may be e f f e c t e d by Industrialisation

with i n d u s t r i a l growth, productionmay l e a d t o d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n of

export b a s k e t , ( i i i ) Comments on c o l l e c t i o n and p r o c e s s i n g of

f o r e i g n t r a d e d a t a d a t o on f o r e i g n a i d u t i l i s e d by t h e three

countries also required.(IV)&(V) Measured c o n c e n t r a t i o n are

a n a l y s e d . The e n t r o p y v a l u e c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o e q u a l distribution

of e x p o r t s among d e s t i n a t i o n c o u n t r i e s . S h a r e of e x p o r t entropies

a t r e g i o n a l l e v e l v a r r i e d from 57,5% t o 60.6% i n I n d i a , 59,5

t o 6 1 . 5 i n B a n g l a d e s h , The i m p o r t e n t r o p i e s by o r i g i n , for each

y e a r , a t c u r r e n t p r i c e s , from 1 9 6 0 - 6 1 t o 1969-70 i n r e s p e c t of

t h r e e c o u n t r i e s were a l s o computed, (vi) The r e g r e s s i o n functions

f o r e x p o r t e n t r o p i e s by d i s t i n a t i o n and import e n t r o p i e s by

origin.

67. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC.

VISWAMtS), P r o b l e m s of I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h t r a d e . S t a t e s m a n , 1972,

Sep, 22;6,

The a u t h o r d i s c u s s e s t h a t t h e S h e i k h ' s D e l h i v i s i t provided

a n o t h e r o p p o r t u n i t y f o r ^'^rs, G a n d h i t o r e i t e r a t e IndiaAs veiws

on P a k i s t a n r e c o g n i t i o n of B a n g l a d e s h a n d was c r i m e s trials,

D e l h i h a s c o n s i s t e n t l y m a i n t a i n e d t h a t i t was f o r Bangladesh

to formulate i t s p o l i c i e s . A t t h e i^ew D e l h i t a l k s . I t was

 121

noted that Mr. Bhutto is gradually shifting his stand on the

war crimes trials. The trade between two countries has provided
many irritants which have been exploited by anti indian
elements. The trade agreement is to be reviewed and it will
present on apportunity to remove these irritants. Smuggling is
an important problem wnich was not taken into account when the
trade agreement was drafted last march.

6 68, IIJDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, AID,

REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN,

AID TO Bangladesh. Statesman. 1972, Jun, 15;9.

The article deals with that in the last v/eeks' s talks between
both countries Kr, Tajuddin Ahmad's primacy concen was to sort
out some immidiate problems. The three most important of these
are India's contribution to Bangladesh rehabilitation and
development plans for 1972-73, the implementation of trade
agreement for the current year, and the identification of specific
projects for cooperation. Of the Rs. 200 crores provided in the
central budget for Bangladesh assistance, Rs. 160 crores has been
committed. Bangladesh calculate that after taking into account
all existing International aid commitments it is Rs. 50 crores
short on its rehabilitation and development plan for the fiscal
$ear» India can make up the difference but Delhi it would appear
has made no firm commitments.
 122

69, niDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, CE^ENT.

SENGUPTA (Jyoti), Bangladesh and India: A long righted policy

needed. Economic Times. 1979, Dec, 3;5.

Discusses the Indian governments policy is to extend all

cooperation to Bangladesh for Industrial development the inhabition
that stands now in the way is political as also the inhability
of that country to pay back the technical assistance programme
for 1975-76 included the financing of three feasibility studies
on cement, fertilizer and sponge iron projects proposed to be set
up by the Bangladesh government. The government of India awarded
additional scholarships to Bangladesh nominees for various
coarses of studies. After libration of Bangladesh, two trade
agreements were signed between India and Bangladesh. The first
is limited payment arrangment (LPA) and second is a trade protocol
known as balanced trade and payments arrangements (BTPA) was
also signed. Bangladesh and India had similar basic policies,
both political and economic. It is felt by India that there
is a growing desire for improving relations based on mutual
respect and good neighbourleness,

70. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, gUBLIC, COTTONS,

INDO-BANGLADESH Trade. Kr^nnnjpi^ Tjmp^. 1973, i:ay, 14; 5.

^aper highlights the New commerce minister is go to Dacca for

signing the view trade agreement next month. It was hoped that
^ndo-Bangladesh trade would be balanced affair. New Delhi wants
Dacca to sfettle the Balance in hard foreign exchange. It is
clear that pattern of trade envised for the last trade agreement
can be carried over. New Delhi decide to supply, cement, asphalt.
 123

Assam r i v e r i n e link has become economically v i a b l e , Dacca

and New Delhi economic r e l a t i o n s realism and mutual b e n e f i t s
should be the governing f a c t o r , ^t i s n e i t h e r d e s i r e a b l e nor
possible for us t o play the same game in the Bangladesh t r a d e
should be conducted only on the b a s i s of sharing the needs
and surpluses of each country,

71, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, FISH,

INDO-BANGLADESH TRADE, C a p i t a l , 1 7 0 ; 4 2 6 4 , 1 9 7 3 , May, 1 7 ; 7 6 7 ,

D i s c u s s e s a b o u t t h e l a t e s t r e v i e w of t h e p r o g r e s s of Indo-

B a n g l a d e s h t r a d e i n 1 9 7 2 - 7 3 h a s r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e h o p e of

a c h i e v i n g a R s , 2 5 c r o r e s t u r n o v e r e a c h way u n d e r t h e limited

payment Agreement (LPA) w i l l n o t be r e a l i s e d by t h e t i m e t h e

L . P . A , comes t o an end on 2 7 t h J u n e , When t h e t r a d e agreement

was e n t e r e d i n t o i n march l a s t y e a r , c o n d i t i o n s were s t i l l very

much E u n s e t t l e d i n B a n g l a d e s h a n d t h e i t e m s i n c l u d e d i n the

L . P . A , were s e l e c t e d k e e p i n g i n view t h e n a t u r a l endowments

of B a n g l a d e s h a n d t h e l i k e l y s u r p l u s e s s h e may h a v e i n these

i t e m s , t h u s f i s h was t h e l a r g e s t e x p o r t s e n v i s a g e d from Bangla-

d e s h . The b i g g e s t s h o r t f a l l h a s b e e n i n f i s h . The y e a r 1972-73

was an e x c e p t i o n a l one when t e m p o r a r y a r r a n g e m e n t s h a d t o b e

made,

72. INDO%BANGLADESH RELATIGliS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, GAS,

BHAUMIK ( K i r i t ) , R a o ' s t a l k s i n Dacca may c o v e r new g r o u n d .

'yjnes__of_ I n d i a , 1 9 8 2 , Ap, 2 8 ; 1 .

The a u t h o r d i s c u s s e s t h a t Mr, P . V , Narasinriha R a o ' s t a l k s in

 124

Dacca next month is likely to cover more ground than the disputes
relating to the sharing of Ganga waters, ownership of New Moore
island and leasing out bf a corridor to the Dahagram enclave.
ndications an that there will be positive aspect to the discussion
with Gen. Ershad. It is likely that some old proposers for
joint projects will be revived by Bangladesh side during the
Dacca parleys. The proposal for the sale of gas to India, first
mooted by the Zia-ur~Rahman government and then shelved, may
also be considered.

73. IND02^BANGLADESH RELATIOI^TS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUB:.IC, G A 5 ^

RAxMESH (Jairam) . Delhi-Dacca cooperation: the role Gas con play.

Times of India. 1982, May, 4;6,

The author discusses that it is natural that India has approached

the issue of economic cooperation in the subcontinent in a
hesitant and tentative manner. Bangladesh is rich in natural gas,
India is in a position to help it utilise its valuable asset in a
way that helps it broaden its economic base. Gas is the only
available energy source in Bangladesh. Its availability coupled
with the lack of coal and oil could very well lead to rapid
rates of extraction. New Delhi's genuine desire to help
alleviate its neighbour's tight energy situation. But Bangladesh
must accept the fact however unpalatable, that as far as the gas
utilization is concerned, it needs the big brother more than
the big brother meeds it.
 125

74. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE,PUBLIC, JUTE.

BETTER BUSINESS with Bangla. Eastern Economist 1979, Dec,
21;14.

The article deal with that a delegation to Bangladesh,

sponsored by the association of Indian Engineering Industry in
1979 has identified several areas for promoting trade and
industrial cooperati-^n between the two countries. According to
T.S. Khanna, Chairman and managing director of national small
industries corporation, who led the Bangladesh is keenly
interested in developing contacts with ^ndia at the level of
both institutions and individual companies. It is necessary
to Indian industries to keep themselves posted contenously with the
latest economic developments in Bangladesh especially in the
field of foreign trade and investment. The A I E I delegation
has said that the Industrial products made in India are more
suited to the requirements of Bangladesh than those vzhich
it gets from highly developed nations,

75. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, JUTS.

CLOSER ECONOMIC T i e s w i t h B e n g l a d e s h . Commerce. 1 9 7 4 , iJay, 1 8 ; 7 0 7 .

D e s c r i b e s t h e v i s i t of Prime M i n i s t e r S h e i k h ^^uj i b t o this

cou' t r y IJas e x p e c t e d l y r e s u l t e d in a g r e e m e n t s between t h e two

c o u n t r i e s on a number of i m p o r t a n t m a t t e r s . The tv/o p r i m e

m i n i s t e r s i g n e d a j o i n t d e c l a r a t i o n orr t h e i r r e s o l v e t o strengthen
 126

e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l t i e s . An a g r e e m e n t was s i g n e d on

d e m a r c a t i o n of b o r d e r b e t w e e n t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s . The representa-

t i v e s of t h e p l a n n i n g c o m m i s s i o n s of t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s h a v e signed

an a g r e e m e n t f o r l o n g t e r m e c o n o m i c c o - o p e r a t i o n . T h e r e was

a n o t h e r a g r e e m e n t on s e t t i n g up two p e r m a n e n t c o r r m i s s i o n S /

t o be h e a d e d b y m i n i s t e r s , one on j u t e a n d t h e o t h e r t o prevent

s m u g g l i n g a c r o s s t h e b o r d e r s . In t h e r e l a t i o n s betv/een two s o v e r e i g i

n a t i o n s t r a d e i s t h e b e s t means of e c o n o m i c c o - o p e r a t i o n . Some

a g r e e m e n t i s r e p o r t e d t o h a v e b e e n r e a c h e d on schemes f o r tapping

new s o u r c e s of w a t e r t o augment t h e f l o w i n t h e Ganga i n the

l e a n p e r i o d March t o May,

76, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOI-'ICS, TRADE, PUBLIC, JUTE.

EXPANDING THE ^ n d o - B a r . g l a d e s h t r a d e . C a p i t a l , 176; 4397, 1976,

Jan, 22; 121.

A t t e m p t s t o e x p l a i n t h e m i n u t e s of I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h t a l k s on a

t r a d e a g r e e m e n t s i g n e d i n New D e l h i on J a n u a r y w i t h a clearcut

a c c e n t on c o m m e r c i a l r e l a t i o n s e x i s t i n g b e t w e e n t h e two countries

e n v e y s a g e t h e s t e p p i n g up on c o m m e r c i a l e x c h a n g e s . In a n y

a s s e s m e n t of t h e t r a d e f l o w b e t w e e n I n d i a and B a n g l a d e s h . It

h a s t o be r e c o g n i s e d t h a t B a n g l a d e s h h a s v e r y l i t t l e to

o f f e r b u t much t o t a k e . T h e r e h a s o f t e n b e e n c r i t i c i s m that

B a n g l a d e s h h a s been u n d e r c u t t i n g I n d i a i n j u t e e i ] ^ o r t s . Thus

i n j u t e g o o d s e x p o r t s t h e p o l i c y a d o p t e d was a d * s p « r a t e one.

I t i s t o be h o p e d t h a t t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s a g r e e d upon a t the

Nev7 D e l h i m e e t i n g V70uld n o t o n l y p a v e t h e ^ way f o r expending

t h e volume of t r a d e b u t a l s o s t u m t f l a t i n g i m p o r t s from Bangladesh

to India,
 127

77. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, JUTE,

PROSPECTS OF Indo-Bangla t r a d e . Eastern Econ, 70; 25. 1978,

Shine, 23; 1208.

Paper s t u d i e s the prospect of p o l i t i c a l s t a b i l i t y , Bangladesh

can now look forward t o f a s t e r progress in many d i r e c t i o n s but
t o what extent w i l l i t help t o promote b e t t e r r e l a t i o n s between
dacca and New Delhi ? The agreement on the sharing of Ganga
waters a t Farakka, signed in 1977, and the meeting of the Indo-
Bangladesh j o i n t r i v e r commission have contributed much t o the
promotion of good w i l l between the two c o u n t r i e s . The trade between
India and Bangladesh i s being conducted on the b a s i s of free
foreign exchange. At the trade review t a l k s held a i^ew Delhi
e a r l y in 1978 i t was decided t h a t the two countries should examine
in what ma-ner the telecommunication arrangements should be further
improved. The present time therefore appears t o be p r o p i t i o u s t o
bring about c l o s e r r e l a t i o n s betv/een India snd Bangladesh in
regard t o trade and various forms of c o l l o b o r a t i o n .

78. IMDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS ECONOKIC,TRADE,PUBLIC JUTE.

STRATEGY FOR j u t e . I n d i a n E x p r e s s . 1 9 7 2 , Nov, 2 1 .

P a p e r d e a l s w i t h t h e I n d i a and B a n g l a d e s h h a v e s e t u p a joint

g r o u p t o s t u d y t h e s c o p e f o r j u t e p r o d u c t s . T h i s i s a move

wtiich c a n b e of b e n e f i t t o b o t h c o u n t r i e s . Under t h e Indo-

B a n g l a d e s h tij^a-fy of March, B a n g l a d e s h was t o e x p o r t t o India

 128

raw j u t e worth Rs, 7.5 c r o r e s . Unfortunately Bangladesh

had exported only Rs. 59 lakhs worth of raw j u t e the main hurdle
has been t h a t Bangladesh wanted India t o pay the i n t e r n a t i o n a l
p r i c e , while India consider t h i s p r i c e t o be too high today
Bangladesh i s a l i v e competitor in world markets -vncl. has
natural advantages enough over India without help:; D e l h i ' s
f i s c a l managers»

79. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOIilC, TRADE, PUBLIC, JUTS.

TALKS ON Jute, fetriot. 1982, Ap, 17;6.

The a r t i c l e deals v;ith t h a t the Indo-Bangladesh t a l k s t o

work out a coinmon s t r a t i g y t o secure remuner t i v e r i c e s for
j u t e goods are important for both the c o u n t r i e s which between
themselves account for almost the e n t i r e world marV.et for
j u t e manufacturers.

80. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE,PUBLIC, J U . E .

TRADE WITH B a n g l a d e s h . C a p i t a l , 1 7 3 ; 4 3 3 3 . 1974, O c t , 3;503-04.

G i v e s d i s c r i p t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e j o i n t communique issued

i n Dacca on monday by I n d i a ' s cornnerce m i n i s t e r , Professor

D.P. Chattopodhyay, a n d h i s B a n g l a d e s h c o - m t e r p a r t Mr. K h a n d a k a r

Mushtaque Ahmad, h a s e x p r e s s e d t h e h o p e t h a t t h e e x t e n s i o n of

t h e t r a d e asTS^Irglment b e t w e e n t h e two c o u n t r i e s u p t o 3 1 s t December

 129

will facilitate the fulfilment of t h e t a r g e t s , \<lhen B a n g l a d e s h

b o m h o p e s were r a i s e d i n D e l h i a n d Dacca thfet t h e two c o u n t r i e s

would be a b l e t o d e v e l o p t h e i r t r a d e r a p i d l y t o t h e i r mutual

a d v a n t a g e . The e c o n o m i e s of I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h h a v e b e e n

r e c e n t l y passing through a c r i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n and in both countries

t h e i r h a s b e e n a r e v e s e s h o r t a g e of v a r i o u s g o o d s . Even s o , it she!

s t i l l be p o s s i b l e f o r them t o d e v e l o p t h e t r a d e between them t o

t h e i r mutual advantage,

81. INDO-BANGLADESH REBATIONi ECONOF.IC, TRADE, PUBLIC, JUTE, RIVER

TRANSPORT,

INDO BANGLADESH RIVER t r a n s p o r t . C a p i t a l , 169, 4 2 4 1 , 1972,

Nov,,Do; 886-87,

D i s c u s s e s t h e r e o p e n i n g of t h e r i v e r t r a n s p o r t s e r v i c e from

C a l c u t t a t o Bangadesh i s y e t a n o t h e r s t e p f o r w a r d i n t h e history

of I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h r e l a t i o n s . From t h e p o i n t of v i e w of India

a s w e l l , the r i v e r t r a n s p o r t s e r v i c e t o Bangladesh has great

possibilities, although for the present, the advantages remain

limited, ^ne f u n c t i o n of t h e r i v e r s e r v i c e a t p r e s e n t w i l l be

c a r r y on i n t e r - c o u n t r y t r a d e v;ith B a n g l a d e s h which i n t h e interest

of f a i r n e s s , w i l l be on a n e q u a l t o n n a g e b a s i s approximately

609000 t o n s of I n d i a n a n d 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 t o n s of B a n g l a d e s h consignments.

The two c o u n t r i e s h a v e s e t t h e i r r i g h t s f a i r l y h i g h - I n t h e first

t h r e e m o n t h s , I n d i a e x p e c t s t o r e c e i v e a s u p p l y of R s , 7 5 0 crores
 130

worth of jute alone, VVhile Bangladesh will deal mainly in jute

India will reciprocate with coal, cement, building materials,

iron are, food stuff, medicine, salt, machinery and so on.

The second function is to carry cargoes to Assam,

82. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, JUTE,

WEST BENGAL.

TRADE PACT Bangladesh, Capital, 171; 4272. 1973, July, 12;

1110-11.

P a p e r h i g h l i g h t s v;hen t h e f i r s t t r a d e a g r e e m e n t was signed

b e t w e e n I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h i n New D e l h i on March 1 9 7 2 . But

t h e ft%t t r a d e a g r e e m e n t d i d n o t work a s e x p e c t e d . Its implementa-

t i o n gave r i s e t o many d i f f i c u l t i e s on b o t h s i d e s . I t is hardly

surprising. Therefore, t h a t the t a r g e t s f i x e d in t h e agreement

c o u l d n o t be r e a c h e d w i t h i n t h e s c h e d u l e d p e r i o d . The a g r e e m e n t

will, ^deed, provided in the f i r s t place, they are able to

create sufficient s u r p l u s e s e x - o r t s . The e x p o r t s from

B a n g l a d e s h t o I n d i a a r e made b y " e l i g i b l e e x p o r t e r s , " t h e Jute

marketing B corporation, Bangladesh I n d u s t r i a l developeient

c o r p o r a t i o n and t h e s m a l l s c a l e I n d u s t r i e s c o r p o r a t i o n . In

d e v e l o p i n g t r a d e a n d e c o n o m i c c o o p e r a t i o n betv/een I n d i a and

B a n g l a d e s h , New D e l h i s h o u l d g i v e due i m p o r t a n c e t o West Bengal.

83. INDO-BA'-GLADESH RELATIOnS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, MINERAL

RESOURCES.

VERMA (DC). I n d o - B a n g l a Pak t r a d e p r o s p e c t s . M a i n s t r e a m , 12;

8 3 . 1974, A p r i l , 13; 6-9.

The a u t h o r s a y s t h a t t h e developmetot of one subcontinent

 131

r e q u i r e s e c o n o m i c c o o p e r " t i o n among t h e I n d i a , Bangladesh and

P a k i s t a n , The n e e d f o r i n t r a r e g i o n a l c o o p e r a t i o n b a s e d on

p r i n c i p l e s of m u t u a l b e n e f i t is being increasingly r e a l i ed

t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d . T r a d e c o o p e r a t i o n among t h e t h r e e countries

may a l s o p r o v i d e e c o n o m i c s of s c a l e i n p r o d u c t i o n . T r a d e also

generate efficiencies i n t h e i r own p r o d u c t i o n among t t j r e e

c o u n t r i e s . At t h e p r e s e n t a g e of d e v e l o p m e n t e x p o r t s of India

a r e c h a r a c t e r i s e d by d i v e r s i f i e d m a n u f a c t u r e d g o o d , a n d t h e exi?orts

from B a n g l a d e s h a r e c h a r a c t e r i s e d b y t h e t r a d i t i o n a l pattern.

The e c o n o m i e s of I n d i a , Bangladesh and P a k i s t a n a r e mutually

c o m p l e m e n t a r y . With r e g a r d t o t r a d e betv/een I n d i a and Bangladesh

I n d i a a h a s a b u n d a n c e of m i n e r a l r e s o u r c e s which B a n g l a d e s h lacks.

The o v e r a l l p i c t u r e i s t h a t a l l t h e t h r e e c o u n t r i e s of the

s u b - c o n t i n e n t can b e n e f i t b y f o l l o w i n g a t h r e e way p o l i c y

of m u t u a l b e n e f i t f o r t h e e c o n o i r i e s of t h e t h r e e countries.

India, Banglaeiesh, P a k i s t a n on t h e s t r i c t p r i n c i p l e of quality

and t h e l o n g t e r m o b j e c t i v e of s u b c o n t i n e n t a l self-reliance;

84. INDO,BANGLADESH RELATIOITS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, RAW, COTTON.

GHOSE ( P B ) . I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h t r a d e g e t s a b o o s t L . Financial

Express 1973; J u l , 23; 5.

/
A t t e m p t s 2!to e x p l a i n by a n n o u n c i n g I n d i a ' s d e c i s i o n t o give

Rs,60 c r o r e s l i b i s a l s h o r t t e r m commodity c r e d i t and grants

t o B a n g l a d e s h i n Kiis r e c e n t m e e t i n g w i t h t h e s p o k e s n a n of the
 132

B a n g l a d e s h Government i n D a c c a . Though no deta<^i. discussion

t o o k p l a c e i n t h e m e e t i n g a b o u t t h e m u t u a l t r a d e betv;een India

a n d B a n g l a d e s h f i r m u n d ^ r s t n a d i n g w i l l be r e a c h e d on t h e need

t o expand such t r a d e . Four b i g i n d u s t r i e s f e r t i l i s e r , cement,

sponge i r o n and c o t t o n t e x t i l e s w i l l r e c e i v e a s s i s t a n c e from

I n d i a f o r t h e i r b u i l d u p , A new a g r e e m e n t w^s s i g n e d on J u l y

5, According t o the agreement Bangladesh w i l l import tobacco,

raw c o t t o n , c o t t o n y a r n a n d o t h e r i t e m s such a s c o a l , books

New a p a p e r s , ^ ' t e d i c i n e , l i m e , l i m e s t o n e e t c . A j o i n t Indo-

Bangladesh p r e s s , r e l / e a s e s a i d t h a t d i s c u s s i o n between the

m i n i s t e r s a n d betv/een t h e o f f i c i a l s were v e r y c o r d i a l and

friendly.

85. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC TRADE FU3LIC, RAW I-IATSRIAL.

MAJOR ADVANCE. H i n d u s t a n T i m e s . 1 9 7 4 , F e b , 15;4.

G i v e s an a c c o u n t of t h e t a l k s b e t w e e n S h e i k h K u j i b and M r s .

.Gandhi h a v e r e s u l t e d i n a n o - o f c o n c r e t e d e c i s i o n s v/hich carry

f o r w a r d t h e e a r l i e r a g r e e m e n t s i g n e d i n 1972 s p e l l i n g o u t a

number of m e a s u r e s f o r b i l a t e r a l c o o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n Bangladesh

a n d I n d i a t h u s t h e tv/o p r i m e m i n i s t e r s h a v e e n d o r s e d four

specific i n d u s t r i a l p r o j e c t s for Indo-Bangla^ colloboration

b a s e d on t h e su p l y of rav; mat . r i a l s a n d r r o d u c t from one

c o u n t r y t o o t h e r v/ith t h e p r o v i s o f o r a gua - e n t e d of f a take

of t h e e x p o r t a b l e s u r p l u s on m u t u a l l y a c c e p t a b l e t^rrns
 133

and conditions. The joint communique encoirporates a formula

which shouid still the controversy over the forakka project.
The talks have also haopily brought to an end the vexatious
issue of the t*ny enclaves and Berubasi which as the communique
notes, had eluded solution for a hole generation. The problem
is to be resolved as part of a fresh demarcation of the
Indo-Bangladesh boundary.

86, INDO BANGLADESH RELATIOKS, ECONOMIC,TRADE,PUBLIC, RAW MATERIAL.

VERMA (PC). Import Structure of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Foreign Trade Rev, 12;4.1978, Jan-Mar; 498-510.

The author says t h a t in t h i s study, import functions for

aggrigate of imports and for the four corrimodity groups-food,
raw m a t e r i a l , f^feland manufactured goods-have been estimated
for each of the t h r e e countries of the Indian sub-continent.
The basic ap-roach has been t h a t imports mainly depend on level
of domestic economic a c t i v i t y . Some ej^ogeneous f a c t o r s heve
a l s o been considered.

87. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, SEEDS,

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.

CONCORD WITH Dacca. Economic Times. 1973, May, 29;5.

Describes New Delhi Dacca, on urgent economic and political

problems, have concluded in agreement between the two country
If Bangladesh and India are circumscribed in their political
 134

d e c i s i o n b y t h e n a t u r e of t h e P a k i s t a n i r e s p o n s e , their

o p e r a t i o n f o r economic c o o p e r a t i o n s a r e l i m i t e d . Planning

M i n i s t e r D . P . DQar a n d h i s h o s t h a v e done w e l l t o a g r e e on t h e

p l a n t h a t would combine I n d i a n c a p a b i l i t i e s w i t h %ngladesh's

own a b i l i t y and w i l l i n g n e s s . I n d i a s u p p l y s e e d s and oflfier inputs

i n c l u d i n g r e s e a r c h r e s u l t t o h e l p Bangladesh boost i t s agreew

c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t i o n . Dacca a c c o r d i s a b l u e p r i n t of cooperation

i n d e v e l o p i n g i n d u s t r i e s and e c o n o m i c i n f r a structure of

Bangladesh, In I n d i a t h e r e i s p r o m i s e of g r e a t e r co-operation

i n f l o o d c o n t r o l a n d i r r i g a t i o n power a n d t r a n s p o r t etc.

88. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, t|irough

RIVER TRANSPORT.

INDO-BANGLADESH C O o p e r a t i p n ' N a t i o n a l - H e r a l d . 1 9 8 3 , Aug, 23;10.

P a p e r s t u d i e s t h a t i t w i l l be f e r t i l e to pretend that the

Dacca m e e t i n g of t h e I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h j o i n t e c o n o m i c c o m m i s s i o n

o p e n s t h e f l o o d g a t e s of c o - o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s

The b i l a t e r a l t r a d e a g r e e m e n t a n d t h e p r o t o c o l on i n l a n d water

t r a n s p o r t a r e t o be e x t e n d e d , t h r e e i n d u s t r i a l colloboration

p r o j e c t s a r e t o be i m p l e m e n t e d s p e e d i l y a n d a f o u r t h is being

finalised. To b a l a n c e t h e t r a d e , c o n t r a c t s t o buy g o o d s from

B a n g l a d e s h a r e t o be i m p l e m e n t e d by March n e x t y e a r . Improved

communications, i n c l u d i n g a i r t r a v e l and a u t o m a t i c t e l e x , are

t o be introduced.
 135

89. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ECONOMIC, TRADE, PUBLIC, UREA.

HERRTENING ADVANCE. Times Of I n d i a . 1 9 8 2 , Nov, 19;6.

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t h a p p i l y t h e momentum g e n e r a t e d

a t I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h summit«ri"nnew D e l h i h a s n o t o n l y b e e n

maintained but also i n t e n s i f i e d . The c o m m i s s i o n h a s covered

q u i t e a l o t of g r o u n d d u r i n g a m e e t i n g a n d i t h a s a d r e s s e d itself

i n r i g h t e a r n e s t t o t h e p r o b l e m of t h e m a s s i v e a d v e r s e trade

b a l a n c e t h a t B a n g l a d e s h f a c e s . To overcome t h i s New D e l h i h a s

a g r e e d n o t o n l y t o b u y , from B a n g l a d e s h i t e m s l i k e u r e a . News

print, b u t a l s o t o h e l p B a n g l a d e s h i n Big Way t h e getting

up j o i n t v e n t u r e s which a l o n e c a n i n t h e l o n g r u n p a y f o r the

country's i m p o r t from India,

90. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS^ECONOMIC, TRADE, TRANSPORTATION,

RAILWAY.

TIES WITH B a n g l a d e s h . H i r d u s t a n T i m e s . 1 9 8 0 , D e c , 24;9.

Discusses about the e x t e r n a l a f f a i r s m i n i s t e r sounded optimistic

i n R a j y a Sabha a b o u t i m p r o v i n g r e l a t i o n s w i t h D a c c a , Mr, Rao a l s o

s o u n d e d o p t i m i s t i c on e s t a b l i s h i n g d i r e c t roTit l i n k s through

Bagladesh with I n d i a ' s i s o l a t e d North e a s t e r n r e g i o n . A r a i l w a y

l i n e c o n n e c t i n g A g r a t a l and J e s s o r e v ; i l l be of irronense

v a l u e t o I n d i a f o r t h e t r a n s p o r t of e s s e n t i a l c o m m o d i t i e s . Such

a l i n e w i l l a l s o p r o m o t e b e t t e r t r a d e b e t w e e n b o t h . '-Jhat

r e a l l y sh^ould count with both n a t i o n s i s the proper utilisation

of t h e man pov.'er a n d n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s , which c a n be really

p r o d u c t i v e o n l y o'f t h e r e i s a g r e a t d e g r e e of cooperation

u n d e r s t a n d i n g and g i v e a n d t a k e .
 136

91. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ELECTIONS.

MALHOTRA (Inder) . Beypnd the Banglaii p o l l : New Delhi-Dacca

r e l a t i o n s . Times of I n d i a . 1978, Ju, 8 ; 8 .

Gives description regarding the a n t i - I n d i a and commercial

lowest given t o Bangladesh's b a t t l e of the b a l l o t by Gen. Z i a ' s
supporters v/ho described General Osmany as a stsege of New Delhi.
A c e r t a i n am'--unt of f e e l i n g against t h i s country has a l - a y s come
in handy t o whenever irules Bangladesh or, for t h a t matter any
other country in I n d i a ' s immediate neighbourhood.But by any
reckoning, during the e l e c t i o n compaign Gen. Zia allowed things
t o c a r r i e d t o f a r . Despmte a l l t h i s New Delhi has refrained from
remonstrating with Dacca. In fact I ^ . Dasai hasten^^d t o be the
f i r s t foreing head of government t o congratualate Gen. Zia
on h i s massive v i c t o r y .

92. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, ELECTIONS.

WATSON ( Adam), Bangladesh: Mujib, India and the elections.

Spectator 1973, Feb., 24, 232-33.

The author says that there is today a very strong current

of public feeling in Bangladesh a mosteqrr) reaction, Mujib's
secular policy is not popular. Nor is his vesible dependence or
India. The economic prospects for the new state are daunting.
The obvious explanation is that this is a single nation, that
has shaken itself free from what it felt to be an increasingly
alien and military dectatorship. Secondly the great majority
 137

of the nation are rural cultivators, over half of whom own

a'l or seme o^ the land they live off. Thirdly there is the
remarkable iiald exercised over the people by their leader,
Mujib-ur Rahman.

93 . Itn)0-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

AKBAR (HJ). What causes anti-Indianism in Bangladesh, Illustreted

weakly . 1972, Dec,,17; 36-39.

Gives an account of the strains have developed between the people

of Bangladesh and India. The leftists, led by I'aulana Bhashani,
often carry their accusations against India to absurd limits.
But as the proverb goes; where there is smoke. There must £s
be fire. It would be wrang to presume tnat I^aulana Bhashani
is completely devorced from public opinion. On march 19,
prime minister Indira Gandhi and Sheikh signed a treaty of
peace, freindship and cooperation between the two nations.
The leftists claim that this and the other treaties between
the two nations constitute a "sell-out" to India.

94. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

ANTI INDIAN TRADE. Economic Times. 1977, Oc,20;5.

Paper deals with the ban on three political parties, the

arrest of two top leaders of the communist party and renewed anti
Indian propaganda at the highest level in Bangladesh ve are
only maniifaetations of a deepening political crisis. General
Zia has moved closer to the communal and right wing forces^
 138

H i s a t t a c k on l i b e r a l , democratic and l e f t p a r t i e s is aimed

a t l i q u i d a t i n g a l l of t h e m , w h i l e g e t t i n g r i d of h i s personal

a p p o n e n t s s u c h a s K h a n d a k a r l^ushtaq a s w e l l i n d i v i d u a l leaders

of t h e Awami l e a g u e a n d N a t i o n a l av/ami p a r t y h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n

a r r e s t e d . The a n t i I n d i a c a m p a i g n i s p a r t of t h e same game. In

p r e i ^ a n g a l a d e s h d a y s , a n t i - ^ n d i a n i s m h a d become co-terminus

w i t h communllism a n d h a d b e e n e f f e c t i v e l y u s e d a s a weapon

against a l l democratic s t r u g g l e s . It is significant that the

p r e s e n t a n t i I n d i a compaign h a s b e e n l a u n c h e d practically

on t h e e v e of t h e v i s i t of a m i n i s t e r i a l d e l e g a t i o n t o Dacca

t o s i g n t h e Farakka agreement,

95, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

BALASUBRAMANIAN (V) I n d i a a n d t h e B a n g l a d e s h , ^ a s t e r n Economist.

1972 (Apm); 1 1 1 5 - 1 6 .

The a u t h o r s a y s t h a t r i g h t nojy B a n g l a d e s h a n d I n d i a i n their

r e s p o n s e o r r e a c t i o n t o e a c h o t h e r a r e g o i n g t h r o u g h an

i n t e n s e e m o t i o n a l p h a s e , t h r o u g h a s e n s e of s h a r e d s u c c e s s or

c o n c i o u s n e s s of a common t r i u m p h f i t m s a v a r i e t y of emotions

t h e d o m i n a n t n o t e of w h i c h i s a p a s s i o n a t e f e e l i n g of fraternity.

T h e r e i s t h e q u e s t i o n of B a n g l a d e s h e s t a b l i s h i n g its juridical pers

n i a l i t y in an i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o n t e x t and a l s o t h e q u e s t i o n of

now l o n g I n d i a ' s armed f o r c e s s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o s t a y in

B a n g l a d e s h . The o r d e r i n g of I n d i a ' s e c o n o m i c r e l a t i o n s with

B a n g l a d e s h may p r o v e t o b e a s d e l i c a t e a n d t r i c k y a

a s t h e r e g u l a t i o n of t h e i r m i l i t a r y o r p o l i t i c a l association^
 139

9 6 . IMDO BAHGLADESH RELATIONS FOEIEIGN,

B:iANnARI ( A r v i n d ) , More t u r b u l e n c e o r s t a b i l i t y . Conimerce.

1 9 8 1 , J u n e , 6; 1105-07.

The a u t h o r d i s c u s s e s t h a t t h e I n d i a c a n n o t b u t |i(&tch v/ith

a n e x i e t y a s t h e n a r c e n t n a t i o n of b a n g l a d e s h r e d s u n d e r the

i m p a c t cf t h e p e c o n d b l o o d b a t h i n i t s s h o r t h i s t o r y , India's

c o n c e r n f o r t h e s t a b i l i t y of B a n g l a d e s h s p r i n g s from three

o b v i o u s c o n s i d e r a t i o n I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h s h o u l d h a v e good

neighbourly r e l a t i o n s , both a s a g e o p o l i t i c a l n e c e s s i t y and

a s a n a t u r a l c o r o l l a r y t o I n d i a ' s r o l e i n t h e l i b r a t i o n of

b a n g l a d e s h . But u n f o r t u n a t e l y New D e l h i h a s h a d t o continually

p u t u p v/ith p u r p r i c k s b y D a c c a . I t i s nov; t o b e h o p e d that

M r s . G a n d h i ' s p r o m p t e x p r e s s i o n of s u p p o r t t o t h e Dacca

a u t h o r i t i e s and t h e i r a p p a r e n t g r a t i t u d e f o r t h e g e s t u r e v;ould

h e l p t o r e s t o r e a m b i c a b l e r e l a t i o n s batvreen t h e two c o v . n t r i e s .

97. I::DO%BA:TGLAD2SH R E L A T I O N S , FOREIGIT.

BHASIN (Prem) . VJith B a n g l a d ^ h a s p a c e - D e t t o r : L e t ' s march h a n d

in hand. J a n t a , 1972, J a n , 9; 25-27.

D i s c u s s e s a b o u t t h e Government of B a n g l a d e s h i s nov; f u n c t i o n i n g

from t h e " f r e e c a p i t a l of a f r e e c o u n t r y " - Dacca B a n g l a d e s h will

n e e d t r e m e n d o u s r o s o i - r c e s t o be p u t on i t f e e t . The b r u n t at

v / i l l , no d o u b t , h a v e t o be b o r n e b y I n d i a . The economy of Eastern

^ n d i a a n d of B a n g l a d e s h i s complem.entary i n many r e s p e c t s . The

tv70 s t a t e s , I n d i a and Bangladesh, v/ill t h u s a c t and interact

 140

on each o t h e r , with Bangladesh proving t o be t h e p a l l - s e t t e r

in the matter of s o c i a l change. Uncompromising democratic s o c i a l i s i
a t home can alone s t e e r us c l e a r of the innumerable manholes
on the way t o a s t a b l e Indo-Bangladesh f r i e n d s h i p .

98. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

BHATTACHARJEA (Ajit), Rao's uphill task in Dacca (A), Indian

Express. 1982, May, 22;6.

The author discusses that forging firm personal contracts

with the leaders of the new government in a neighbouring
country is a vital and delicates Business at the best of
times. But the going has been made unnecessarily dificult
for f oreiog) KKioto minister Rao's visit to Dacca this week-(i®nd, and
the tragedy is that htis has been done purely for party purposes
Yet a week before the Mr. Rao's scheduled departure^ Mrs. Gandhi
told an election meeting in H.P. that the Farakka agreement
had bitrayed national interests. It was after this that a Bangla-
desh representative raised the issue at the U.N. Environment
programme meeting in Nair(J^. ^e said* that the diversian of
ganga water by India had "serious effect on the economy,
ecology and the overall environment in our country''.

99. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

BHAUKIK (Kerit). Narsimha Rao meets Ershad, Times of India.

1982, May, 23;1.

The author discusses that the external affairs minister

 141

Mr. Rao c a l l e d on Gen.H.M, E r s h a d t h i s e v e n i n g Mr, Rao

spe l e d out t h e ^limited o b j e c t i v e of h i s p r e s e n t v i s i t to

B a n g l a d e s h , No d e c i s i o n s a r e , t h e r e f o r e e x p e c t e d from t h e

two d a y d i s c u s s i o n s t h o u g h t h e w h o l e r a n g e of outstanding

bilateral i s s u e s w i l l be t o u c h e d u p o n . The Bangladesh

g o v e r n m e n t was a s much k e e n f o r t h i s v i s i t a s Mr, Rao w a s .

There are i n d i c a t i o n s honleV^^^hat Mr, Rao h a s come t o Dacca

X'fith t h e h o p e h e w o u l d be a b l e t o e s t a b l i s h a w o r k i n g

r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e l e a d e r s h e r e i n v i e w of t h e new r e g i m e ' s

d e c l a r e d i n t e n t i o n of a d o p t i n g a p r a g m a t i c a p p r o a c h t o regional

a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l p r o b l e m s . He s a i d t h a t t h e Government of

India values the r e l a t i o n s with Bangladesh.

1 0 0 . INDO-BANCTADESH RELATIONS,FOREIGN,

BREAKING THE V i c i o u s c i r c l e , H i n d u s t a n T i m e s , 1 9 7 3 , A p r , 16;9,

Paper highlitjhts t h e v i s i t t o D e l h i of D r , Kamal H o s s a i n ,

B a n g l a d e s h f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r i n t h e wake of a n d a s a sequel

t o Mr, P . N , H a s k a r ' s m i s s i o n t o Dacca a n d t h e d i s c u s s i o n s that

h e i s h a v i n g v/ith t h e g o v e r n m e n t of India can w*ll help

t h e p r o c e s s of d i s e n t a n g l i n e t h e many s u b - c o n t i n e n t a l issues

t h a t have so f a r d e f i e d s o l u t i o n . I t i s tW^i-C a s D r .

H o s s a i n p o i n t e d o u t i n D e l h i t h a t P a k i s t a n h a s n o t b e e n making

t h i n g s e a s y by such "aberrations,"
 142

101. INDO-BANOJADESH R E L A T I O N S , FOREIGN.

CHAKRAVORTY (Banoj K u m a r ) . B a n g l a d e s h ' s I n d i a - B a i t o r nu-^-ber

are igrqaniser, 2 5 ; 6 . 1972, Sep, 16;6.

The a u t h o r s a y s t h a t i n a p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e i n Dacca a few d a y s

b a c k i'iaOlana B h a s h a n i d i s g o r g e d a l e t of venam a g a i n s t India,

^ e p a i n t e d I n d i a a s t h e b l a c k e s t v i l l i o n of t h e i^industan

p e n i n s u l a a n d d u b b e d h e r a s B a n g l a d e s h ' s enemy number one

He w e n t s o f a r a s t o s a y t h a t t h e i d e o l o g y of s e c u l a r i s m , impor-

t e d from I n d i a , w o u l d s o n n d t h e d e a t h - k n e l l of i s l a m in

B a n g l a d e s h a n d t h e mmslims t h e r e would soon e n d u p by

b e c o m i n g H i n d u s , The I n d i a n s f e e l a g g r i v e d s h o c k e d a n d bitter

b e c a u s e t h e Maulana f a i l e d t o show t h e minimum of gratefulness

e x p e c t e d of a n y s e n s i b l e p e r s o n i n s u c h circumstances,

102. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

CHAKRAVARTI 9 S u b h a s h ) . E r s h a d i n v i t e s P.M, t o Seek New e q u a t i o n .

Timesof I n d i a . 1 9 8 2 , Ap, 2 4 ; 6 ,

The a u t h o r d i s c u s s e s t h a t t h e new m i l i t a r y r u l e s of Bangladesh

h a s i n i v i t e d t h e P.M, i^irs. G a n d h i , t o p a y a n e a r l y v i s i t to

Dacca a u t h e n t i c i n d i c a t i o n s a b o u t t h e new m i l i t a r y Government's

d d s i r e t o make a new b e g i n i n g w i t h I n d i a v/ere a v a i l a b l e when

General Ershad had a long meeting w i t h I n d i a n h i g h commission

Mr. M. Dubey, I n d i c a t i o n s a r e . Gen. E r s h a d w a n t e d t o aprise

"^Vs. Gandhi of t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s w h i c h p r e c i p i t a t e d the

m i l i t a r y t a k e o v e r . Much a s I n d i a w o u l d l i k e t o m o u n t a i n good

r e l a t i o n s w i t h B a n g l a d e s h , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e c h a r a c t e r of the
 143

government in Dacca, it is highly unlikely of Mrs. Gandhi

would be able to pay the visit there this year.

103. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

CHALLENOS OF a ' s e t e l l i t e l Thought. 1972, Far, 25; 3-4.

Discusses a f t e r India signed her t r e a t y with s o v i e t Russia

l a s t august the impression want t h a t her policy of non
alinement had been burried fathoms deep. The document Mrs,
Gandhi has signed with the Bangladesh P.M. Mujibur Rahman
should be quite aloguwnt in t h i s r e s p e c t . I t commits t h i s
country a t l e a s t for the next 25 year, t o p r e s e r v a t i o n of the
other " h i ^ contracting" p a r t y ' s t e r r i t o r i a t i n t e g r i t y , independei
- e and soveregnty formally i t commits Bangladesh t o r e c i p r o c i t y
This has t o be done without i n t e r f e r e n c e in each o t h e r ' s
i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s . Certainly the phrase, even clauses of the
Indo-Bangladesh t r e a t y , ^n a c t u a l l y the present t r e a t y makes
India the sole p r o t e c t o r of Bangladesh which r e a l l y i s the
truth,

104. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

CHOPRA ( P r a n ) . T r o u b l e a t t h e e d g e s . H i n d u s t a n T i m e s . 1 9 7 2 ,

June, 11; 7,8.

G i v e s d e s c r i p t i o n r e g a r d i n g t a s k s of p e a c e a r e f o r e v e r more

difficult t h a n t h e t a s k s of w a r . But w h o e v e r would t h a u g h t

t h a t I n d i a would, h a v e t o d i s c o v e r t h i s t r u t h s o s o o n after

h e r v i c t o r y i n B a n g l a d e s h ? S i x months a g o I n d i a ' s name was

 144

u t t e r e d v/ith warm g r a t i t u d e b y e v e r y o n e . Today i t is the country

most o f t e n c r i t i c i s e d , '-'nly t h e most s h o r t r i g h t e d o r peripheral

v i e w of I n d i a ' s i n i n t e r e s t s a n d t h o s e of B a n g l a d e s h c a n

show t h e d i v e r g e n c e b e t w e e n t h a n t o be g r e a t e r t h a n t h e c o m p l e -

m e n t a r i t y , and t h e l e a d e r s h i p in t h e n e i t h e r c o u n t r y i s inclined

t o feke s u c h a v i e w . T h e r e i s l e s s u n a n i m i t y b e h i n d t h i s view

in Bangladesh, t h a n t h e r e i s in I n d i a , b u t in Bangladesh t o o three

i s no c h a l l e n g e t o i t by any e x i s t i n g a s p o t e n t i a l f o r c e of a n y

great political significance for the future,

105.INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

ASAD FAROOQUI (Asad) We a n d t h e ' n e w r e a l i t i e s ' of Bangladesh.

R a d i a n c e . 1972, June 2 5 ; 5 .

G i v e s a n a c c o u n t of o u r r e l a t i o n s w i t h B a n g l a d e s h , e v e r since

t h e d a y we d e c i d e d t o p l a y g u a r d i a n - a n g e l t o t h a t nascent

r e p u b l i c , h a v e b e e n b a s e d mase on a p p i r i t of m a r b i d remanticism

t h a n on s t a r k r e a l i t i e s . The m o r a l a s p e c t of t h e r o l e played

b y I n d i a i n h e l p i n g b a n g a l d e s h a c h i e v e i n d e p e n d e n c e was s o much

o v e r p l a y e d by one p u s s t h a t t h e s t o r y of t h e ^ n d o - p a k war came

t o be l o o k e d a s a g r e a t a p i c c o n t a i n i n g l o t of human i n t e r e s t , the

whole s t r u g g l e , despite its difinite social, political and

e c o n o m i c book g r o u n d was c o n v e r t e d by s h e e r p r o v e r b i a l m i g h t of

pan, i n t o a c r u s a d e of v e r t u e a g a i n s t v i c e k n o v / i n g l y o r u n k n o w i n g l y .
 145

106. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, F0REI(3N.

FOREIGN PLICY ^eropective. Mainstream, v o l , 11; issue

34. 1933, A p r i l , 21; 45.

Paper highliglits the Indo Bangla Declaration issued

a f t e r the discussions between the foreign m i n i s t e r s of two
c o u n t r i e s , A s i g n i f i c a n t feature of Bangladesh and India
w i l l work t o g e t h e r towards the establishment of durable
place" in the subcontinent Indo-Bangladesh understanding,
now receiving o f f i c i a l imprimatuee in the j o i n t d e c l a r a t i o n .
Indo-Banglai j o i n t d e c l a - a t i o n does the repasatariation of
c i v i l i a n internees of Bangladesh n a t i o n l s in pokistan and Pak
n a t i o n a l s in Bangladesh,

107. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

GEHLOT (NS) , Recognition and Bangladesh Modem review, 130; 1
1972, Jan; 9,2.

Gives an account of the declaration of independence by

Sheikh Mujib on March 26, 1971 as a result of the denial to
transfer poa^itical powers to the elected re- resentatives,
led to open barbarities a west Pakistani forces on the
def-enceless public of Bangladesh. In fact, the Governrnent
of Bangladesh principally fulfills a 1 the conditions of
recognition. India, should dostat its duty keeping these facts
in view, India should remembered that the delay in giving
 146

recognition w i l l h u r t both India and Bangladesh and help

the china - Pak alegnment. I t i s , t h e r e f o r e , e s s e n t i a l for the
Government of India t o recognise Bangaladesh without following
following the short sighted s t a t e - c r a f t of the Big powers who
are only a f t e r e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e i r influence and not world peace.

108. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

GENEROSITY UNREVJARDED. A m r i t a B a z a r P a t r i k a . 1 9 7 2 , Nov, 28;4.

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t t h e I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h h a v e

dicided to repatriate a l l families of P a k i s t a n civilians

i n t e r n e e s a n d p r e s o n e s s of w a r a n d t h e S w i s s &mbasy i n India

has been r e q u e s t e d t o c o n t a c t p a k i s t a n t o f i n a l i z e the

a r r a n g e m e n t s . T h i s f r i e n d l y and h u m a n i t a s i a n g e s t u r e h a s been

shown i n s p i t e of P a k i s t a n ' s f a i l u r e t o make a satisfactory

response to t h e i r u n i l a t e r a l offer.

109. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

GHOSB ( S a n k a r ) . B a n g l a d e s h . S e m i n a r ( 1 9 7 ) . 1 9 7 6 , J a n . (Ann);

64-66.

The a u t h o r s a y s t h a t a t h e o r i t i c a l a r g u m e n t of s o r t s f o r an

alternative s e t of p i l l a r s was b e i n g b r u i t e d a b o u t by

some B a n g l a d e s h i n t e l l e c t u a l s f o r q u i t e some t i m e . They s a i d

t h a t t h e f o u r p i l l a r s , e n s h r i n e d in the Bangladesh constitutions

w e r e no d i f f e r e n t from I n d i a ' s a n d x t h e y c a n n o t give

Bangladesh a s e p a r a t e i d e n t i t y , a r a i s o n d' etre. A freindly

 147

Bangladesh was important for India from th;e view point of

not only external security but also internal order. President

system of Bangladesh has repeatedly stressed that he wants to

maintain good relations with I^^dia one way to put the

subcontinental clock back could be the dista-blblization

of India itself,

110. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

HAPPY OUTCOME. Times of I n d i a . 1 9 8 1 , S e p , 1 5 , 6 .

P a p e r d e a l s w i t h t h e t w o d a y s v i s i t t o New D e l h i of t h e

Bangladesh f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r , Muhammad Sharasul Haq, i n t h e

c a u s e of which he h a d t a l k s w i t h Mr. N a r a s i m h a R a o , a s w e l l

a s w i t h M r s . Gnadhi h a s h a d a h a p p y outcome:. N o t i n g by way

of a s p e c i f i c a g r e e m e n t on a n y of t h e o u t s t a n d i n g issues between

t h e two n a t i o n s came o u t of t h e d i s c u s s i o n s . In t h e s t a t e m e n t

p u t o u t , both c o u n t r i e s have p l e d g e d t h e m s e l v e s t o resolve

t h e h o s t of i s s u e s , b i g a n d s m a l l , c o n f r o n t i n g them " i n a

s p i r i t of u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d good n e i g h b o u r l i n e s s . The t w o

f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r have n o t been c o n t e n t with expressing

m u t u a l goodv-zill. They h a v e d e c i d e d t o h a v e t h e i r foreign

s e c r a t a r i e s meet n e x t month t o g e t down t o t h e nitty-gritty

of t h e v a r i o u s i s s u e s t h a t d i v i d e d t h e m . F a r a i k a , N-;w Moore,

The T i n Bigha c o r r i d o n , t h e m a r i t i m e boundary l i m i t s and a

r a n g e of others»

111. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATION, FOREIGN.

HARI HARAN 9A). Fall out from Bangladesh, Hindustan Times.

 148

1981, June, 6;9.

D i s c u s s e s a b o u t a c o u p l e of d a y s b e f o r e A u g u s t 1 5 , 19 75 an

I n d i a n h e l i c o p t e r c r a s h e d on B a n g l a d e s h t e r r i t o r y . Tnose

w e r e t h e d a y s of e m e r g e n c y a n d t h e p r e s s was n o t a l l o w e d to

p u b l i s h a n y t h i n g . No wonder t h e e x t e r n a l a f f a i r s m i n i s t r y was

c o m p e l l e d soon a f t e r t h e news of t h e a s s a s s i n a t i o n of president

Z i a u r Rahman came t h r o u g h t h a t i t was abs\ird~ t o s a y t h a t India

had a n y t h i n g with t h e e v e n t and t h a t i t had n e v e r a l l o w e d anyone

o p e r a t e from i t s s o i l i n a n y way t h a t w o u l d e f f e c t the

i n t e r e s t of a n e i g h b o u r l y Government w i t h w h i c h i t had

friendly relations. I t i s w e l l known t h a t t h e d a t e Zia-Ur-Rahroan

was w a l k i n g a t i g h t r o p e , t r y i n g t o r e c o n c i l e v a r i o u s contradi-

c t o r y f o r c e s a n d k e e p u n d e r l e a s t r e c t i o n s of t h e armed forces

whose l o y a l i t y c o u l d n o t be t a k e n f o r granted.

112. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

HISTORIC REUNION. H i n d u s t a n T i m e s . 1 9 7 2 , J a n , 12;7.

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t t h e S h e i k h ^'hJjib'"r Rehanan h a s

r e t u r n e d t o t h e w a i t i n g , w e l c o m i n g arms of h i s p e o p l e i n an

e s t a t i c r e c e p t i o n . The S h e i k h ' s s t a t e m e n t s b o t h d - r i n g h i s stop

o v e r a t D e l h i a n d a t h i s p u b l i c m e e t i n g i n Dacca b o r e the

mark of h i g h s t a t e s m a n s h i p . To I n d i a , the Sheikh extended

t h e hand of e n t e r n a l f r e i d s h i p . This w i l l ^e firmly grasped.

 149

As t h e s h e i k h s a i d , t h e two n a t i o n s s u b s c r i b e t o a n d b e l i e v e

i n common i d e a l s , democracy, s e c u l a r i s m and s o c i a l i s m . He

t h a k e d t h e p e o p l e of I n d i a , i t s armed f o r c e s , and its

" m a g n i f i c e n t p r i m e m i n i s t e r " f o r t h e i r g a l l a n t supT)ort which

e n a b l e d s o n a r Bangla t o j o u r n e y "from d a r k n e s s t o l i g h t , from

c a p t i v i t y t o freedom, from d e s o l u t i o n t o h o p e " . The Bangla

l e a d e r ' s t r i u m p h a l r - t u m t o h i s c o u n t r y i s a good a n g a r y . His

t a s k i n s o n a r B a n g l a i s t h e same a s M r s . G a n d h i ' s i n India;

" g a r i b i h a t a o " , The two c o u n t r i e s h a v e nov/ a s i n g u l a r opportunity

t o march t o g e t h e r i n f r i e n d s h i p arid c o - o p e r a t i o n .

113. IKDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

INDIA AND B a n g l a d e s h . F i n a n c i a l E x p r e s s . 1 9 7 5 , Aug, 20;4.

P a p e r d e s c r i b e s a l t h o u g h t h e t r a g i c and h i t h e r t o unexplained

circumstance i n which p r e s i d e n t M u j i b u r Rah a n ' s r e g i m e was

d i s p a c e d a f t e r a m i l i t a r y c o r p may be r e g a r d e d a s a p u r e l y

internal affair of B a n g l a d e s h , t h e r e w i l l be w e d e s p r e a d regret

in t h i s c o u n t r y and elsewhere t h a t t h e S h e i k h ' s c a r e e r a s the

l i b e r a t o r a n d f o u n d e r of B a n g l a d e s h was e n d e d s o soon after

i t s c r e a t i o n . Mean w h i l e t h e new r e g i m e , h a e a d e d by Mushtaque

Ahmad, was c o n v e y e d an' a s s u r a n c e t o I n d i a a n d o t h e r countries

t h a t t h e r e w i ' 1 b e no c h a n g e i n c o u n t r y ' s f o r e i g n policy

New D e l h i must c h e r i s h t h e h o p e t h a t B a n g l a d e s h w i l l remain

a f r i e n d l y a n d c o o p e r " t i v e n e i g h b o u r i r r e s p e c t i v e of internal

political changes.
 150

114. INDO-BANGLADESH ILLATIONS, FOREIGN.

INDIA-Baiting. I n d i a n E x p r e s s . 1972, D e c , 14; 9.

Paper d i s c u s s e s about t h e prime M i n i s t e r ' s r e p o r t e d concern

o v e r Maulana B h a s a n i ' s c a l l f o r " o n e B a n g a l ' should help the

authorities i n New d e l h i a s w e l l a s i n Dacca t o a s s e s t h e depth

of I n d i a - B a i t i n g i n B a n g l a d e s h . The f a c t r e m a i n t h a t the

Maulana i s n o t t h e o n l y B a n g l a d e s h l e a d e r v;ho h a s t a k e n t o the

c a m p a i g n a g a i n s t I n d i a . The t r u t h i s t h a t he i s discovering

t h a t t o c h a l l a n g e t h e Awami l e a g u e i s a t a s k b e y o n d h i m ,

Bangladesh i s going through a d i f f i c u l t p e r i o d and t h e s e will

be a t e n d e n c y t o l o o k f o r s c a p e g o a t s f o r i t s troubles.

115. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIOFS, FOREIGN.

INDO-BANGLADESH DECLARATION. Capital; 170; 4261. 1973, April,

26; 638-39.

Paper studies the r-cent moves and countermoves i by India

and Bangladesh on the one hand and Pakistan on the other

appear to have proved singularly barren so far in breaking

the thaw and things, one might say, are back to squen one.

The negotations between India and Bangladesh that led to the

declaration and the actual contents of the statement demonst-

trate another ting. It is that India has no intention of

bringing pressure to bear upon Bangladesh en many matt^;r, least

of all on the release of the D.O. W.S. openion may be devide^

 151

in India of holding a treat of war criminals. But it

is Bangladesh which experienced the horrors of the crime and

it alone has the right to decided on punishment. In the first

plan although the joint declaration did not make repatriation

of P.O.W.S, conditional x upon recognition of Bangladesh.

By now t h e s e a r c h f o r c o n t r a d i c t i o n s i n Mr, B h u t t o ' s statements

h a s become a somewhat t e d i o u s e x e r c i s e . L i t t l e wonder h i s

reply to the joint diclaration i s riddled with inconsistences.

116, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, S o c i a l i s t India. 1972, J a n . 8 ; 1 .

D i s c u s s e s i t i s a m a t t e r of h i g h s i g n i f i c a n c e and wholly right

t h a t t h e f i r s t v i s i t of F o r e i g n m i n i s t e r of B a n g l a d e s h since

t h e l i b r a t i o n of t h e c o u n t r y a n d t h e e n s t a l l a t i o n (faf t h e

B a n g l a d e s h g o v e r n m e n t i n Dacca s h o u l d be t o D e l h i . Mr. Abdus

samad Azad, of c o u r c e , i s no s t r a n g e r t o u s a n d t h e s p o n t a n e o u s

v/elcome t h a t he h a s r e c e i v e d i n t h e c a p i t a l , fte f o r h i s p a r t

i n h i s r e p l y t o t h e s p e e c h e s of welcome s t r e s s e d i n feeling

terms t h e " I n d u s t r u c t i b l e and i n r e v e r s i b l e b a n d s " of friendship

a n d comjmon i d e a l s b e t w e e n t h e n e w l y i n d e p e n d e n t republic

a n d I n d i a . T h i s i s an i n d i c a t i o n s t h a t i'T, Abdus S a m a d ' s

t a l k s in Delhi v;ill cover a l l the p r a c t i c a l fields i n which

t h e two Governments n e e d t o c o o p e r a t e and even c o o r d i n a t e their

p o l i c i e s en a l o n g t e r m b a s i s . Mr. Abdus S a m a d ' s talks

i n D e l h i a r e a good b e g i n i n g on t h e r i g h t path.
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117. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

KHATIB (AL). I n d i r a G a n d h i : A r c h i t e c t of Indo-Bangladesh

friendship socialists India. 1 9 7 3 , Nov, 1 7 ; 9 - 1 0 , 28.

A t t e m p t s t o e x p l a i n t h e warm welcome t h a t Smt. I n d i r a Gaadhi

r e c e i v e d wh?n s h e v i s i t e d Dacca (bn march 17 was a spontaneous

e x p r e s s i o n of l a v e and e s t e e m i n which fehe i s h e l d h^ the

p e o p l e of B a n g l a d e s h . S m t . G a n d h i was o v e r w h e l m e d by t h e love

a n d warmth w i t h which s h e was welcomed by t h e p e o l e of

B a n g l a d e s h . She t o o k i t a l l a s a t r i b u t e t o I n d i a and n o t to

h e r s e l f . Smt, Gandhi s a i d i n Dacca on March 1972 " I t r u s t that

i n t h e comming y e a r s , f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n o u r t w o c o u n t r i e s w i l l be

b u i l t n o t on t h e b a s i s of t h e a s s i s t a n c e t h - t we m i g h t h a v e given

t o you now b u t on f u l l e q u a l i t y and mutual b e n e f i t of two free

and s o v e r e i g n nations.

118. IND0-BA^]GLAD3SH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

KRISHNA MOORTHY ( K ) . MIZO T h r e a t t o ^ n d o - B a n g l a security,

H i n d u . 1972, Ap, 2 8 ; 6 .

The a u t h r d i s c u s s e s t h a t t h e Mizo r e b e t s a d d e d by P a k i s t a n

moved f r e e l y i n c h i t t a g i n g b e f o r e and d u r i n g t h e l i b r a t i o n war

i n B a n g l a d e s h . Alongv^'ith l a z a k a r s a n d o t h e r who h a v e been

g i v e n arms by t h e P a k i s t a n i army befoir^e i t s u r r e n d e r e d they

now n o s e a r e a l s e c u r i t y t h r e a t t o b o t h I ^ d i a a n d Bangladesh.
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119. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

LUMAYE (Madhu), B a n g l a d e s h I ^ d i a a n d t h e w o r l d community

Janta. 1972, J a n , 26;9-12.

G i v e s d e s c r i p t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e Bengal c r i s i s t h r e w r e v i d i n g ligh

on t h e a t t i t u d e of t h e v a r i o u s s t a t e s , e s ; e c i a l l y t h e so-called

b i g p o w e r s a n d n e u t r a l c o u n t r i e s of t h e t h i r d w o r l d t h e

s o v i e t Union gave s t o r y p o l i t i c a l support t o India both with

i n and w i t h o u t t h e '-'nited n a t i o n s t h e U n i t e d s t a t e s turned

a b l i n d e y e t o t h e h a p p e n i n g i n * a s t Bengal from t h e v e r y

b e g i n i n g . The i m p r e s s i v e f e a t of I n d i a n army i n 4 a s t Bengal

has c e r t a i n l y raised I n d i a ' s p r e s t i g e i n t h e w o r l d . But t h e

m a g n i t u d e of t h e p r o b l e m s t h a t I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h f a c e is

so stupendous t h a t u n l e s s t h e y v i g o r o u s l y t e c k l e t h e problem

of r e c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t , the military

and p o l i t i c a l v i c t o r y i s l i k e l y t o t u r n i n t o a tragic

econon-ic and s o c i a l d e f e a t . This i s a l s o t h e m e a n i n g of

v e i l e d Chinese threat.

120. IND0-3ENGALADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

MORARJI DESAI i n B a n g l a d e s h . Commerce. 1 9 7 9 , A p r i l , 21; 631-

32.

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t Mr, M o r a r j i D e s a i ' s v i s i t to

B a n g l a d e s h was a n o t h e r s t e p t o improve r e l a t i o n s w i t h the

n e i g h b o u r i n g c o u n t r i e s . The p r e s i d e n t Mr. Z i a - u r - R a h r r a n , is
 154

on r e c o r d h a v i n g s t a t e d t h a t t h e r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n Bangladesh

and I n d i a had improved a f t e r t h e J a n a t a p a r t y Government

h a d come i n t o p o w e r . T h i s i s n o t t o s a y t h a t a l l t h e causes

of f e r i c t i o n b e t w e e n I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h . The m a j o r issues

a r e t h e i l l e g a l movement of p e o p l e a c r o s s t h e b o r d e r s , the

s h a r i n g of Ganga w a t e r s , t h e t e e s t a a n d K a s h i a r a river

problems, the s a t i s f a c t i o n of t h e l a n d b o r d e r a g r e e r o e n t of

1974 a n d t r a d e i m b a l a n c e - h a v e b e e n overcome o r w i l l disappear

a s a r e s u l t of Mr, D e s a i ' s v i s i t . Bound a s t h e tv/o c o u n t r i e s

a r e by t i e s of g e o g r a p h y , h i s t o r y , t r a d i t i o n s and c u l t u r e , the

l e a d e r s r e i t e r a t e d t h e i m p o r t a n c e of m u t u a l e x c h a n g e of high

l e v e l v i s i t s a n d r e c o g n i s e d t h a t s u c h p e r i o d i c were neccessary

for further dev l o p i n g c l o s e a n d f r i e n d l y r e l a t i o n s between

theai.

121. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

MUKERJSE ( D B l i p ) , I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h : G e t t i n g down t o brass

t a s k . Times of I n d i a , 1 9 7 2 , Aug, 19;6.

H i g h l i g h t s t h e r e i s new n o t e of r e a l i s m now i n I n d i a Bangladesh

r e l a t i o n s . W h a t e v e r t h e A n t i - r I n d i a l o b b y i n Dacca may s a y , it

i s o b v i o u s t o i t t h a t - i'^ew D e l h i h a s a l a r g e s t a k e in

B a n g a l a d e s h ' s f r i e n d s h i p a n d g o o d w i l l , '-^'his i s a l s o a m e a s u r e

of t h e i m p o r t a n c e t h a t Dacca h a s i n t h e I n d i a n , scheme of

t h i n g s . Given t h e d e g r e e of I n d i a ' s c u r r e n t d e v e l o p m e n t in
 155

Bangladesh, however, i t i s bound t o f i g u r e in t h e domestic

p o l i t i c a l d e b a t e one way o r a n o t h e r . T h i s i s why i t is

n e c e s s a r y f o r D e l h i t o be e x t r e m e l y c a r e f u l in i t s dealings

w i t h Dacca f o r t u n a t e l y e x c h a n g e s betv.'een t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s

a r e b e i n g l o o k e d a f t e r a t t h e h i g h e s t p o s s i b l e l e v e l . At

the p o l i t i c a l level, Mrs, Gandhi c o n t i n u e s t o t a k e a direct

interest i n a l l a s p e c t s of I n d i a ' s r e l a t i o n s w i t h Dacca,

•Si a few weeks from now, I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h w i l l r e v i e w t h e

v r a r k i n g of t h e t r a d e a g r e e m e n t f o r t h e l a s t s i x m o n t h s .

122. INDO-aAJSIGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN,

t;iEIGHBOURS. P a t r i o t , 1 9 8 0 , S e p , 8; 9 ,

G i v e s an a c c o u n t of t h e B a n g l a d e s h p r e s i d e m t , Z i a - u r Rahman

v i s i t t o Delhi and he l e f t t h e i m p r e s s i o n t h a t he was g e n u i n e l y

i n t e r e s t e d i n e x p a n d i n g ttkes w i t h I n d i a , H i s o p t i m i s m concerning

t h e s o l u t i o n of a l l t h e o u t s t a n d i n g e s s u r e s b e t w e e n t h e two

c o u n t r i e s a p p e a r e d t o be more t h a n a d i p l o m a t i c gesture

of a g u e s t . He h a s e x t e n d e d an i n v i t a t i o n t o t h e prime

m i n i s t e r a n d was c o n v e n c e d t h a t a f e l l o w up on t h e Delhi

t a l k s would e x t e n d c o o p e r a t i o n a n d mutual understanding

on a l l the b i a l a t e r a l p r o b l e m s , Bangladesh is interested in

i n c r e a s i n g e x p o r t t o India in any case c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t Dacca

h a s an a d v e r s e b a l a n c e of t r a d e a s p o i n t e d o u t by Rahman

In t h i s c o n t e x t n e i g h b o u r l y r e l a t i o n s e t w e e n I n d i a and

B a n g l a d e s h a c q u i r e new i m p o r t a n c e .
 156

123. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

NEW ALKAR (GB). Scope for link up between India and Bangladesh.
Financial Express. 1975, Jy,3;7.

Attempts to explain the India and Bangladesh have a unique

history of cooperation. India extended all possible assistance
to ^loktebahini which fought the v;ar of independence v/ith
all favour, vigour and fury. India is thus an ally of
Bangladesh and the relationship has been consecreted by the
blood that was jointly split in historic struggle of freedom.
India and Bangladesh having genuine common interested vould be
both benefited by inagivative intigration of their economies
as well as by the continous exchange of ideas and experiences.
The bond of political freindship could be strengthened by the
ever growing and depending mutually beneficial economic
relationship.

124. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN.

SHRKAR (Chanchal) and CHOWDHURY (Amitabh), Bangladesh and

I n d i a Hindustan Tim.es, 1972, March, 18; 7.

D i s c u s s e s a b o u t the v i s i t i n g Dacca n i n e t y days a f t e r it

was l e b e r a t e d , ^'-ts. Gandhi w i l l f i n d b a s i c changes in t h e
c o u n t r y and in t h e c o n t e n t of i t s r e l a t i o n s h i p s with India
and the o u t s i d e w o r l d . She w i l l undoubtedly g e t a run-down
on the s u r f a c e problems and i r r i t a t i o n s in h e r tv/o days
of t a l k s and t r a c e d . I t i s e a s y t o any a b s e r b e r t o check
 157

o f f an e m e r g i n g l i s t of g i r u m b l e s . The e c o n o m i c u p t u r n is

v e r y g r a d u a l . T h e s e i s a c e r t a i n amount of c h a o s and confusion

i n t h e s e c r e t a r i a t c h e c k l i s t s c a n b e some^what. S p u r i o u s , as

even Mrs. Gandhi i s l i k e l y t o f i n d , M r s . Gnadhi w i l l be

a b l e t o s e e w h a t t h e p e o p l e of B a n g l a d e s h t h i n k a b o u t h e r h e l p

i n t h e i r d i r e s t n e e d . And a s s h e v i e w s l i f e returning to

n o r m a l i n t h e e m u r o l d f i e l d s a n d b r o a d r i v e r s . She v ; i l l

have the s a t i s f a c t i o n of k n o w i n g t h a t h e r l e a d e r s h i p h a s

made i t possible,

125. INDO-BENGALDESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN,

TOOCHY NEIGHBOUR, Times of I n d i a . 1 9 8 1 , Miir, 2 9 ; 6 .

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t it is therefore not particularly

s u r p r i s i n g t h a t p r e s i d e n t Zia-ur-Rahman should seek t o p l a y

dovm India's cretical, endeed d i v i s i v e r o l e in t h e libration

of B a n g l a d e s h , Even s o he i s u n j u s t t o t h i s c o u n t r y , Bangladesh

defines t t s p o l i c y as independence p l u s , the p l u s being

its'right' t o impose i t s viev; on D e l h i on c r i t i c a l l y important

i s s u e s l i k e t h e u t i l i s a t i o n of t h e Ganga v / a t e r s , essentially

an I n d i a n r i v e r a n d t o a l l o w m i l l i o n s of i t s p e o p l e t o move

i l l e g a l l y i n t o t h e c o u n t r y . But w h i l e B a n g l a d e s h i s a t o u c h y

and d i f f i c u l t neighbour, it i s m e r c e f u l l y n o t tr^^-ing

to define, its i d e n t i t y in as b i t t e r l y a n t i - I n d i a n terms

a s P a k i s t a n h a s l a n d e d t o do from t i m e t o time.
 158

126. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN,

WE BHARE t h e i r r e l o i e i n q . ^ ' ^ e w A g e . 1 9 7 3 , D e c , 1 6 ; 2 .

P a p e r d e a l s t h e B a n g l a d e s h w i l l o b s e r v e December 16 a s the

v i c t o r y day w i t h n a t i o n w i d e c e l e b r a t i o n s . On t h u s memorable

day t h e P a k i s t a n i t r o o p s s u r r e n d e r e d t o t h e j o i n t command

of I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h armed f o r c e s . The a n t i I n d i a compaign

h a s b e e n i n t e n s i f i e d and i t h a s h a d a f r e e r u n , f o r everything

t h a t g o e s wrong i n B a n g l a d e s h I n d i a i s blai-ned, Indo-3argladesh

friendship i a v i c i o u s l y a s s a i l e d . Vte i n I n d i a must n o t spare

any e f f o r t t o s t r i n g h e n t h u s f r i e n d s h i p a n d t h a t showld be o u r

p l e d g e f o r t h e V - d a y i n B a n g l a d e s h , We i n I n d i a made o u r

c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e t r i u m p h of t h e l i b r a t i o n s t r u g g l e of the

75 m i l l i o n p e o p l e of B a n g l a d e s h , Today on t h e V-day we j o i n

them i n t h e i r n a t i o n a l rejoining,

127. INDO-BAHGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN,

YEAR AFTER the war. Statesman. 1972, Dec, 1979.

Discusses I n d i a ' s sentiment on the f i r s t anniversary of

l i b r a t i o n of Bangladesh have been eloquently expressed by Mrs
Gandhi in t h e i r messages t o president Abu syed and Bangladesh
bandh. Sheikh Mujib, Within a year a f t e r the l i b r a t i o n of
Bangladesh through an armed s t r u g g l e , the nation has framied and
adopted a c o n s t i t u t i n; and the c o u n t r y ' s coi m.itment to the demo:
t i c process w i l l be further demonstrated V7hen i t s first
general e l e c t i o n s are held in I-Iarch. for the people of I^dia
 159

however, there is also another anniversary to reflect

upon, the case fire on Dec, 17, this date too can become
are occasion for rejoining if the was that ended a year
ago becomes the last, coriflect between India and pakistan,
ang, since Janta these has at least been same reason to
hope that this will be so. These is atteast been same reason to
hope that this will be so. These is atteast a new understendinc
and a year after the war hopes of a "diesable peace" need not be
regarded as altogether illusory.

129. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN, ANTI INDIA PROPAGANDA.

RELATION WITH BANGLADESH, Statesman 1972, Sep., 5;6.

Gives an account of the march of the hungary masses asazHSHx

organised in Dacca by the "United front of left parties'
does not appear to have shaken the Bangladesh Government a
people. The Maulana Bhasani has raised the bogey of Indian
dauenation and held India responsible for Bangladesh's
current internal problem A month ago our Swaran Singh told
the Rajya Sabha that feeble attempts out anti-India propaganda
had been made by stray elements in Bangladesh, and there was
no room for misunderstanding betvjeen the tv;o countries. But
it is no longer possible to be so optimistic, as the Indian
Govern ent s?ems now to realize. An official spokesuan has
 160

pointed out that for from conniving at smuggling. New Delhi

is prepared to cooperate in any suitable counter measures
Dacca suggests including realing the border. It has also
explained that there steps can be effective only of there
is complete cooperation between the two governments.

129. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN, ANTI-INDIAN SENTIMENTS.

BANGLADESH: With patiBBce. Thought, 1973, June, 9; 3,

Discusses in i t s i n t e r n a l l i f e Bangladesh should s t i l l be

struggling t o find i t s f e e l , as a were i s not a t a l l s u r p r i s i n g .
Over two thousands p o l i t i c a l murders in 18 months since
i t s l i b r a t i o n would appear t o be stagging i s not seen against
t h i s background. The Anti-Indian sentiment even in i t s most
virtelent form in pieces l i k e chittagong, i s but a necessary
of the abnormality of the c o u n t r y ' s Socio-economic s i t u a t i o n
For in normal conditions the kind of stogens now being r a i s e d
in Bangladesh against India would provoke populars redim^te.
They seek t o convert the prevalent popular d i s t r e s s into muni-
t i o n for Islam's emagenary was a g a i n s t "Hindu" India, Ratience a
emagination should govern I n d i a ' s response. Vve hate to use in
word r e a t i o n .

130. I:TDO BANGLADESH RELATIOITS, FOREIGN. ATTEKPT ON INDIAN

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S L I F E .

DANGER SIGNAL. H i n d u s t a n T i m e s . 1 9 7 5 , NoV, 28;7.

P a p e r s t u d i e s t h e s h o c k i n g a t t e m p t t o a s s a s s i n a t e Mr. Samar S e n ,
 161

I n d i a ' s High CommiFsioner i n D a c c a , s h o u l d j o i n t responsible

members of B a n g l a d e s h g o v e r n m e n t i n t o a knov/ledge of hov; easy-

it i s f o r a few i n d i v i d u a l s t o f o u l u p r e l a t i o n s betv/een

sovereign n a t i o n s . I t i s a g r e a t comfort t o l e a r n that

Kr Sen who was s h o t a n d \70unded i n t h e r i g h t s h o u l d e r , is out

of d a n g e r . I t i s v e r y c l e a r t h a t t h e a t t e m p t on I x . Sen's

life i s t h e c u l m i n a t i o n of a s y s t e m a t i c c a m p a i g n of vilification

of I n d i a c o n d u c t e d b y P o l i t i c a l e n t e r e s t s which h a v e the

support, o r a t l e a s t t h e c o n v i e n c e , of c e r t a i n foreign

c o u n t r i e s , B a n g l a d e s h i s u n d o u b t e d l y a s o v / e r e i g n str-^te which

must s e t t l e i t s on a f f a i r s . But i s h a s a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y tcrards

f o r e i g n d e p l o m a t s a n d t h e a t t a c k on Mr, Sen must g a l v a n i s e its

political l e a d e r s h i p t o p r o b e i t s a b i j . i t y t o g o v e r n by p u t t i n g

dovm l a w l e s s a n d c r i m i n a l elements,

131, INDO-BANGLADESH RSLATIONSJ FOREIGN. ATTEMPT ON INDIAN HIG''

COh'^asS I01-7ERS LIFE ,

ENVOY HARASSED: P r o t e s t t o D a c c a . Hindu 1 9 8 2 , Mar, 2;6.

G i v e s en a c c o u n t of t h e I n d i a h a s l o d g e d a s t r o n g protest

w i t h Bangladesh a g a i n s t t h e " i n l i n u d a t i o n and hsrass^ e n t " of

t h e I n d i a n High C o m m i e e s i r n s , Wr, Dubey by i t s s e c u r i t y authori-

ties i n a D a c c a . The h i g h c o m m i s s i o n e r t o l d t h e Bangladesh

foredg/n minister that the incident i n v o l v i n g s h a d o w i n g and.

b l a c a n t h a r a s s m e n t of t h e I n d i a n High C o m m i s s i o n e r w s h i g h l y

r e p r e h e n s i v e . The B a n g l a d e s h g o v e r n m e n t v.'as r e q u e s t e d to

i n s t r u c t t h e s e c u r i t y and p o l i c e a u t h o r i t i e s t o i'-r^ediately

d e r i s t from such u n w a r r a n t e d activities.

 U2

132. INDO- BANGLADESH RELATIOIIS, FOREIGN, ATTSr'PT OK IIJDIPvM HIGH

COI'MISSIONCER'S LIFE.

The a r t i c l e deals with that in the past fev; d a y s D e l h i and

D a c c a h a v e b e e n g i v e n t o much c o r r e s p o n d e n c e over alleged

border violations, the actual attempt at shooting the India

high commissioner, t h e F a r a k k a b a r r a g e a n d now t h e fdring

involving casualties on b o t h sides of the border. If one

adds t o t h e r e verbal exchanges, the inflarrimatori'- r i e c e s in

Bangladesh's controlled press and the speculative wordage on

this side, the officials of the two c o u n t r i e s now i n c a g e d in

investigative o r c o n c i l e a t o r y work have an extremely

uncongenial bookground t o work j o i n t l y against

133. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIOr^S, i^'OREIGN, A^i^EIvPT ON Il'DIAN HIGH

COMiMISSIONSRS L I F E .

T I E S ON t h e mend E c o n o m i c T i m e s . 1975, Dec, 9; 5 .

Paper discusses about a c r i s i s atmosphere in Indo Bangladesh

relations has been d i s p e l l e d by h i g h level talks at the

week e n d b e t w e e n s p e c i a l representatives of t h e tv/o governrrent.

The h a r p j - i d e a of a n e x c h a n g e o f v i e w s o r g a n a f e e d '-•/ith president

S a y e m of Bangladesh, who w a s q u i c k t o r e a l i s e that the

attempt on I n d i a n H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r Mr. Sam.ar S e n ' s life in

D a c c a w a s a s y m p t o m of the ensidious decrease that bodid ill for

his connery, not t o s p e a k of its two with Rev/ D e l h i , Prime

minister ^rs. Gandhi promptly a c c e p t e d t h i s proposal to frank M±8

 163

discussions to understand the position of the new regime

in Dacca on both internal and external issues as also

convey New Delhi's response to them, Dacca's comrriitment

to"maintain and strengthen traditio al ties" betv/een the

two countries and ensure equal bighs for " allits people

irrespective of coste, creed or religion should be taken to mean

that the present Government wbuld not allov; itself to be

sv/ayed by the forces of anti-Indiansim and communal frenzy,

134. i:-DO BANGLADESH RELATIONS^ FOREIGN FRIENDSHIP AND CC'OF^RATICfi':

FOR PEACE AND PROGRESS.

IMPORTANCE, OF Bangladesh. Socialist India. 1973, Dec, 22;1-2.

Highlights the Indian people rejoin with the people

of Bangladesh in the successes they have acheived during the

past two years against such many adds and to v/hich the

Bangladesh referred v/ith just pride in his address to the

nation broadcast en the national day. It is also a matter of

great satisfaction that not cnly the leaders of our two

countries but our two peo'^des are aware of the importance of

Indo-Bangladesh freindship and cooperation for the neace and

progress of the two countries and indeed the whole south

Asian region.

135. INDO-BANGLADESH xRELATIOrTS, FOREIGN, H:]ADS OF THE STATE TALKS.

ABSOLUTE UNDERSTANDING. MOTHERLAND. 1 9 7 2 , sept, 15;6.

•^aper d i s c ' - s s e s about the Sheikh ^^ujib's stop over in Delhi

 1G4

for talks v/ith P.M. iirs. Gandhi v/as a happy idea. Direct

consultations betv/een the prime i'Unisters of tv/o countries

could be expected to lead speedily to a co mon apor'Mch to

the developing situation. Sheikh I%jib hes said that there.

is "absolute understanding betv;een his country and India.

136, INDO-BAKGLADESH RELATIOI-TS,FOREIGN, HEADS OF THE ST.-.TE TALKS.

GO-OPERATIVE FRA'vEWORK. H i n d u s t a n T i m e s . 1 9 7 2 , ? e b , 9; 7.

The a r t i c l e deals with that Sheikh Muj ibiAr R e h v i i a n ' s v i s i t to

Calcutta h a s been a memorable experience..

His t a l k s with M r s . Gandhi h a v e a l s o e n d e d v/ith agreement

o v e r a wide range of i s s u e s , t h e withdrav^l of Indian army

b y m a r c h 2 5 , T h e t v / o p r i m e m . i n i s t e r s have; s p o k e n of common

ideals, region co^-isultations and t h e i r resolve " t o v/ork

together in the i n t e r e s t of w o r l d p i e c e end stability.

Adherence t o non alignment, secularism, c i e i n o c r a c y ---nd

socialism afers a co-rmon f r a m e v;ork w i t h in which coo;-eration

can grow. Border t r a d e v/ill be r e g u l a t e d by agreeeiant and a l l

o t h e r CO' m e r c e b e t v / e e n t h e t v / o countries v/ill e corducted

through state trading channels,

137. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIQlS,FOREIGN, MUTUAL, UNDERSTANDING
AND F R I E N D S H I P .

IHDO-BANGLADESH E f e l a t i o n s . Socialist India. 1972, J u l y , 22;1-3,

The a r t i c l e deals with that i n t h e new c o n t e x t and over the

n e x t few d e c a d e s no a r e a of India's foreion relations is

 165

g o i n g t o be of g r e a t e r a n d more c r u c i a l importance than

o u r r s l a t i o ' - ' . s v/ith B a n g l a d e s h . R e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n nations,

a s betv/een i n d i v i d u a l s , e i t h e r grov; i n mutual'understanding

and f r i e n d s h i p o r t h e y grow i n t o s t r a n g e n e s s a n d draft

a p a r t consequently if I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h a r e grov; i n

mutual f r e a n d s h i p and u n d e r s t a n d i n g , t h e n miich g r e a t e r e-fort

v / i l l h a v e t o b e made i n e v e r y f i e l d t o b ; i i l t and r e i n f o r c e the

e d i f i c e of c o - o p e r a t i o n and confidence.

138. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,FOREIGN, NO WAR PACT, BANGLA VIEW

POINT.

PEACE AND amity, Amrita Bazar Patrika. 1972, Dec,l.

Discusses the address delivered by Bangladesh president

^r, Abu Syeed Chaudhry at a joint sitting of members of
parliament was a sence and eloquent appeal for place and
amity which are precondition for the welfare of the people
of time sub-continent. In this connection president drew
the attention of India's representatives to the role of the
big persons in the affairs of the weak and developing nations.
In the part he said "The internal forces which seek peace
stability and development were thwarGed and frustrated by the
operations of the extra near forces. That role in still being
played although the pattern and methods have changed in
response to changing situations. This is a danger which
has been a recurning theme in Mrs.Gnndhi speeches. The asked
them to allow such countries to settle their disputes peacefull5
and without external interference.
 166

139. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN, POLITICAL OPINION.

ADHIKARI (Gautam). Post prospects for Indo-Banglai ties

Hindu. 1979, Beb., 27;8.

Attempts to explain the President Zia-ur Rahman's spectacular

triumph in the recent election in Bangladesh gives him a clear
mandate to strive for relative stability and a growth
of a national identity for the people of Bangladesh. More
important for Indians, however is the distinct possibility
now of a steady improvement in Indo-Bangladesh relations.
Their Government's attitude towards India plays unimportant part
in the formation of their political opinion. None of any
problems and irritants are intractable although the river
waters problem is likely to take time to solve.

140. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, FOREIGN, TREATYOF PEACE AND

CO-OPERATION.

GAUR(VP). I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h . Modern r e v i e w , 133;2. 1973,

Aug.94-86.

Discusses of course, India's attitude towards Bangladesh

has been quite good. India's economic assistance to her

paved the way for the national cooperation of the two countries.
This Assam is imbodied in their treaty of peace and cooperation.
India and Bangladesh will have to make all efforts to maintain
their harmonious relations our friendship with Bangladesh will
have for reaching consequences to our interest®
 167

141. INDO BAJ^GLADESH RELATIONS, Impact of ZIAUR RAHf'AN'S,

ASSASSINATION.

MAHANTI (PC). Bangladesh: Politics of murder. Commerce. 1981,

ifkine, 21; 1104.

The author discusses that when the news of the President

Zia-ur Rahman's assassination was first heard the people

of Calcutta, just as the people in the rest of the country

received it with a snese of profound stock. The late

President had by and large followed a policy of good

neighbourliness with India. Impressed by this ^r. Morarji

Desai the Prime Minister of India, allowed to conclusion

of the agreement on the sharing of ganga waters undering

some short term sacrifies on the pact of India. Gen, Zia

had realised that Bangladesh stood to gain from closer

economic and political cooper tion with India as that

would have stabilise the political and economic situation

in his own country.

142. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS INDO-PAK TERRITORIAL DISPUTE,

BANGLA VIEW POINT.

SHOCKING CONTOURS. National Harald. 1983, Ap, 5;4.

Paper highlights the publishing of a map by Bangladesh

government showing Jammu and Kashmir outside the Indian

Union is, to say the least, shocking. One wonder whether at

 168

is a concious attempt to be little India or the product of

an ignorant bureaucracy. Over the past few weeks the

Pakistani leaders have also been making sinister and

motivated statesman. It is unfortunate that just when Indo-

Bangladesh relations, were looking up, the affending map

has come. It is to be hoped that Dacca would effectively

counter any attempts to derive a widge between bangladesh and

India and clarify its position,

143. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REFUGEES.

ANALYST : Will Foreign office answer r. Mjainstream. 1977, May,

28;4,31,

Pa-er studies the move by the Government of India to hand

over political refugees to the Bangladesh government as

reported in Dacca newspapers. The matter came up before

the MP's consultative committee attached to the ministry of

external affairs, and it was denied that any such move

had been contemplated. Since then, some select newspapers

were informally briefid by our foreign office, dinying

that any deal had been stmick for the eviction of the

political refugaes from Bangladesh, It is time our foreign

office comes out with the truth, the whole truth and nothing

but the truth.

 169

144. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,REFUGEES.

ARRANT NONSENSE. Hindustan Times. 1984, Ap, 16;6.

The article deals with that it is difficult to understand the

upsoar sought to be created in Bangladesh over India's

decision to real of off the border by fencing it. The

public postures of certain people in Bangladesh is that

there is no infiltration through the border much of the

present trouble in Assam originated from the migration

of unmented people. All this can bexf"opped only if free

passage to ssi unwanted immigrants is firmly checked. If

Bangladesh has some other plan to ciarb migration they would

come out with it instead of raising a Mooha about India's

aggressive intentions and other such nonsense.

145. INDO^BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REFUGEES.

BROCKWAY (Fenner), India, Bangladesh and World. Economic Times

1972; aian, 11; 4.

Paper deals with the original difstruction of democracy in

East Bengal by West Pakistan was the worst crime against

political freedom since Hitlor the massacre of its people

should have outraged the conscience of the World. The

incursion to India of nine Million refugees should have been

the responsibility of all who claimed to be civilised and not

left to already empowerished Calcutta the imprisonment of

Sheikh Mujib, who was rightly Pak's prime minister, wan an

 170

offrent which should have been intolerable to the so called

"Free world the powers looked on with indifference. No action
against west Pakistan's rape of democracy. No action when
Bengals were mass- murdered, India acted with extraordinary-
restraint. The$'e is a fundamental issue in a background,
Bangladesh has arisen because a racially self concious
people demanded self government.

146. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATION^, REFUGEES.

ESCAPE FROM Terror, Times of India, 1981, "^ct, 1;8.

Highlights it is truly extraordinarily that Dacca should

dAny that a large-scale enfliix of tribals has taken place into
the Indian state of tripura from the chittagang hills tract,
the southern eastern district of Bangladesh. About 15000 of then
have crossed over into the Indian border state in the last
two week alone. They have been provided Shelter in make shift
camps. This exodus is the result of a new wave of terror
unpleashed against the tribals-HIndus chfrist^Ans and Budd^st-b^
Muslims who have been trying to seize their lands. The latest
outbreak of large scale violence in the chittagang hills tract
has followed troubles in the capital in the make of the
f

recent execution of 12 army officers convicted of being

involved in the x j ^ assassination of president 2ia-ur Reh«Bjn
It is difficult to say Whether there is any connection between
the two developeme'nts India will need to act more firmly
djf it is not to be saddled with louhs of tribal refugees.
 171

147. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, gEFUGEES.

FOR A peaceful border. Statesman. 1976, Feb, 16;9.

Paper describes the Indo-Bangladesh border talks in Dacca

seem to have been held in an admirably basiness like manner. The
subject was, border security, not the political and other
factors might have a bearing on it. At the Dacca talks both
sides agreed to ensure that conditions on either did not
encourage unauthorised movement of people across the border.
A joint enquiry into all recent border incidents, agreed
upon at Dacca should clear the air. This could be one step
towards better understanding. At New Delhi talks, India
restated her desire for "a peaceful border" As for any Indian
activity on the Bangladesh side of the border the alligantions
have always been unspecific and attributed to unidentifiable
sources. If Dacca has any evidence, the Indian delegation
to the recent talks could easily have been taken there to see
for itself.

148. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REBUGEES.

GUPTA (Shekhar) Sealing the Assam border. Indian Express.

1981, D e c , 1;6.

The author discusses that some of the problems that the

Assamese leaders and the centre have been trying to sort
out are based on certain facilities. That they have always
 172

been there sincq^the launching of the agitation. Among theye

misconception is the current nation on how the India-

Bangladesh border is to be guarded against further infil-

tration. No scheme will rpomise, f«al proff protection

against infiltration in North east unless similiar exercise

are carried out along the west Bengal-Bangladesh border which

is dotted with adverse possessions <in both sides. This is

a route of prolific access.

14*. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REFUGEES.

GANffll (Rajmohan) Northeast and Bangladesh. Indian Express.

1981, Jan, 20;6.

The author says that there is no doubt that Bangladesh

crarained with a vast population and crisQxcrossed by numberless

rivers is a tremendous factors in the life of our people

in Bi north-east. It has been and people from northeast will

till you that it still is the source of influx of population

which in the view of many in Assam, Maghalaya and else where

in the region could do lasting harm to the identities

of the different races. Relations between India and Bangladesh

may be four from. There perhaps is touchiness and an absence of

total trust but no lezacy of hate de<S/-ides us. One hope

that the size of the potented prizes of team work will be

remembered by the leaders; Officials and diplomats of both

countries.
 173

150. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REFUGEES.

HARIHARAN (A), Expedition to the himalyas. For eastern economic

review. 1978, Jan 6;18-19.

Gives d e s c r i p t i o n regarding the Agreement reached on the

u t i l i s a t i o n of the waters impounded a t the farakka barrage
was considered by west Bengal as a major concession t o Dacca
a t the cost of Indian i n t e r e s t s . External a f f a i r s minister X
Vajpayee denied in Parliament t h a t there was any "Secret
understanding between Delhi and Dacca e i t h e r on Farakka or
the expulsion of Bangla refugees. Vajpayee said I n d i a ' s stand
was t h a t p o l i t i c a l refugees, whether from Nepal or Bangladesh
could seek asylum in India but they would not be allowed
t o indulge in a c t i v i t i e s unfreindly t o New D e l h i ' s neighbours.

151. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REFUGEES.

KUDIN (G). Situation onthe Indian sub continent. New Times.

1972. Jan; 11.

The author says that the president V.V.Giri said over the
new year "was a time of trial for India and we may be proud that
we rose as one not only in defence of our fronteers but to
librate the 75 million people of Bangladesh from tyrawy and
merciless operations at the hand of the military Junta".
The press trust of India reports that the Indian army, which is
 174

already being withdrawl from Bangladesh, is to hel repatriate

the refugees. Moreover, atthe request of the Bangladesh
Government/ India is helping restore motor roads, railway-
lines and other communications.

152. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REFUGEES.

MOKHERJEE (Apratine). Dhaka plotting anti-India bloc: Nepal,

Bhutan told to woo China. Hindustan times. 1983, Jul, 14;1,

Discusses about the Bangladesh has initiated a move to

group the smaller nations in the ndian sub-continent together
to build up a but work against India's 'ex expansionist"
tendencies. Bangladesh how already h*id extensive discussions
with Nepal. In its latest more in this regard, Bangladesh
foreign secretary, Shams-ud-Daha visited Bhutan recently
to persuade that country to move away from India's area of influe
nee and cultivate China. The sources fed that since Nepal, Bhutan
and Bangladesh are all in close proximity to china and
Bangladesh's move to build up a common front to India
obviously suit the communist grant the moves already made
and being contemploted by Dhaka may had to wider reprecessaions
for the existing geo-political, balance in the region.

153,. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REFUGEES.

OMENOUS PORTENTS. Indian Express, 1976, Ap, 247 4.

The article deals with that the apparent willingness of the

Bangladesh government to allow the army majors responsible
 175

for the assassination of Sheikh Mujib on August 15 last

year is shocking enou^. Reports that it is considering
their demand to participate in the administration are for more
distnrtbing, indicating as they do that communal^ anti-Indian
pressure on those in power in Dacca are on the ascendant.
*^viously Delhi will have to move with the greatest discreption
in there circumstances. The misfortune that there in power in
Dacca bring upon their country is their business, but India
cannot ignore any development that threatens its own borders
or triggers off another influx of refrugees.

154. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REBUGEES.

T^IS MUST not happen. Mainstream. 1977, May, 21,1-2.

Paper deals with the government o]^ India and Bangladesh

handling over the p o l i t i c a l refugees. The e x t e r n a l Affairs Minist
e r urging immedi-^te i n t e r v e n t i o n to stop t h i s reported move
t o push back Bangladesh p o l i t i c a l refugees. The I n d i a ' s
Government t r i e s t o maintain friendly r e l a t i o n with Bangladesh.
P o l i t i c a l refugees from Bangladesh have taken s h e l t e r in the
Western countries p a r t i c u l a r l y in B r i t a i n . Friendship of
Bangladesh with people of India have been s a n c t i f i e d by t h e i r
blood during t h e i r struggle for l i b r a t i o n of t h e i r home land.

155. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,REFUGEES.

TRIBONALS OF h o p e T r i b u n e 1 9 8 3 , O c t , 18;9.

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t t h e r e i s more t o presidential

o r d i n a n c e on t h e f o r m a t i o n of t r i b u n a l s t o d e f e c t "illegal
 176

migrants" than meets the eye. Immediately a t f u l f i l s a

lang delayed commitment of the centre t o appoint such
qua s i - j u d i c i a l nacp pane 3 li t o d e t e c t and deport "foreigners"
who entered Assam after March 1971, At the moment, with
Assam upper most in the mind, there fears look far fetched and
unreal. The centre would do well to dispel even emergency fears i
this regard and ensure that the erdi'ance is used striCHy
for the prupose for which it has been promulgated.

156. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, REFUGEES, HBAB OF THE ST&CB TALKS.

INDO-BANGLADESH DIALOGUE, Hindu, 1979, March, 19; 8,

Discusses after trying for several months to discount

the gravity of the infliix into the eastern states and north
eastern states from Bangladesh, the Govemmett of India has
long last conceded that the problems serous to be taken up
for the discussion at the highest political level between the
two countries, Mr- Morarji Desai who will be the foreinger
visitor to Bangladesh, will probe the matter with Zia-ur
Rahman, Assam, ffeghalaya, Tripura and west Bengal have been
troubled by the arrival of thousands of illegal immigrants.
The Desai Zia meeting will aiso have other bilateral questions
of importance to discuss such as attempts to find a long
term solutions to the dispute over shaking of ganga
waters at farakka, joint efforts to time other rivers and
expansion of trade.
 177

157. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, SMUGGLING.

CHAUDHURY ^P.C, Roy) Border smuggling threat to Bengal.

Patriot. 1980, Jan, 18;6,

The author says that the west Bengal and Tripura border

area which India shares with Bangladesh has become a paradise

for smugglers. Prostitution is ranpant and both the central

government and the state machinery have turned a blind

eye to the law and order situation. Another centre of

smuggling is siliguri which receives goods from Nepal

as well. The most tragic thing is the digeneration of

an inter4.se section of the people in the border areas.

An adjunct to smuggling, vecedens have also sprxing like

mash roon, especially prostitution. Wine flows like

water, young girls are becoming willing victims of man's

lust. Young men in the border areas are said to be active

participants in the crimes.

158. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, SMUGGLING,

CHOPRA (Pran). Defeatist response. Hindustan Times. 1972,

June, 2; 5,7.

Describes the constant criticism of Indian policies in

Bangladesh from a very vocal combination of the right and

left is beginning to have its effect. Malicious the critics

may very well be, or at best uninformed, but they are on the

offensive and Indian reactions are beginning to show the

strain of having to be on the defensive always. Two

 178

c o n s e q u e n c e s h a v e s t a r t e d t o f l o w from t h i s hesitation

i n p o l i c y a c t i o n s which a r e s o u n d i n c o n c e p t ; a n d a

p r e a c c u p a t i o n w i t h a v o i d i n g m i s t a k e s . Some m i s t a k e s

h a v e b e e n c e r t a i n l y made, a n d b o t h by t h e a u t h o r i t i e s in

Bangladesh and India f o r example, in the f a t t u r e to prevent

smuggling, I n d i a ' s l e g i t i m a t e d e s i r e I n r e s p e c t of Bangladesh

c a n o n l y be t h a t i t s p r e c e p t i o n of i t s e s s e n t i a l interests

s h o u l d be b r o a d l y h a r m o n i o u s w i t h I n d i a ' s p e r c e p t i o n of her

interest.

159, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS^ SMUGGLING, ARMS,

BHASIN ( P r e m ) , Warning s i g n a l i n B e n g a l , J a n t a , 1972, Jan,

I676-7,

The a u t h o r s a y s t h a t t h e E u p h o r i a c a u s e d by I n d i a ' s decision

v i c t o r y i n t h e Bangladesh n e a r , one i s a p t t o f o r g e t that

Pro china elements a r e not only a l i v e but k i c k i n g in India

a n d B a n g l a d e s h , Yahya Khan a n d h i s f r i e n d s h a v e made

a b l o o d y mess of e a s t B e n g a l by t h e i r r e l i a n c e on a military

s o l u t i o n of t h e p r o b l e m . I n t h e same iNay i t may t u r n out

i n t h e l o n g r u n t h a t ^ew D e l h i t o o made a g r a v e m i s t a k e by

t a k i n g m i l i t a r y plxinge. There a r e r e p o r t s a l a r g e scale

s m u g g l i n g of arms from B a n g l a d e s h i n t o I ^ d i a , The captured

i t e m s i n c l u d e l i g h t m a c h i n g - guns a n d o t h e r w e a p o n s . I t is

a w a r n i n g s i g n a l a. t h a t we c a n i g n o r e o n l y a t peril.
 179

160. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, SMUGGLING, OFFICIAL LEVEL TALKS.

IWDO BANGLA T a l k s . H i n d u s t a n s t a n d a r d , 1 9 7 2 , Nov, 1 1 .

Paper h i ^ l i g h t s t h e u n d e r s t a n d a b l y e c o n o m i c i s s u e s f i g u r e of

prominently in the Bi-annual o f f i c i a l level talks between

I n d i a a n d B a n g l a d e s h . More e c o n o m i c r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e

two c o u n t r i e s a r e y e t i n a n e a r l y f o r m a t i v e s t a g e when t h e y

need c a r e f u l a n d d e l i c a t e h a n d l i n g . One h u r d l e was c l e a r e d a s

m e a s u r e s a g a i n s t s m u g g l i n g a c r o s s t h e common b o r d e r were

y i e l d i n g r e s u l t s . Though n o t f u l l y a p p r e c i a t e d , another important

H u r d l e was c r o s s e d when h a r d i n g e b r i d g e was r e p a i r e d a n d open

to traffic the bridge f a c i l i t i e s not just internal trade in

Bangladesh, i t h e l p s promote t r a d e between two c o u n t r i e s .

S e g u l a r b a n k i n g a r r a n g e m e n t s , b e t w e e n t h e s e two a r e u n d e r w a y

a n d v e r y soon b a n k t r a n s f e r a c r o s s t h e b o r d e r w i l l b e p o s s i b l e .

161. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE.

INDIA-BANGLADESH RELATIONS: Significant silences. Eco and Pol

Wkly. 1979, April, 21; 718-19.

Prime Minister visit to Bangldesh include all the expected

sentiments copperation between the India and Bangladesh, The

most important is the dispute over rivers water and progress

towards the resolution of this dispute. India and Bangladesh

should be able to agree on joint exploration for oil in the

 130

bay. There are three problems between the countries. 1,

ensuring that the non Muslim minorities in Bangladesh
would be safe; 2. the problem of infiltrators especially
into Assam and other region of the north east; 3. the overt
and covert support extended to insurgent elements of various
huges by the government d>f India and Bangladesh for their
own reasons. Immigration of Muslim peasantly into Assam
has been going on since the days before independence. That
lure of Assam as the level of plenty and opportunity
continues to grip many poor people merely in Bangladesh,
West ward and Southward, Bangladesh is considered more sensitive,
this can not have continued without some organisation. The
Bangladesh had assured the prime minister that it would not
give any assistance to the Mizo %tional front. The cooperation
is not formally acknowledged also means that both the
government have retained the option to be selective.

162. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,FLOOD CONTROL AND

HARNESSING OP RIVERS.

KIRISHNA MOORTHY (K). Cross India bears in Bangladesh, Hindu

19 72, Oct, 14;8.

Attempts to expj^in the India has been the target of abuse

and misrepresentation by Maulana Bhashni and his like in
Bangladesh, who have siezed every opportunity to malign
the Delhi government. But the simple fact remains that mass
starvation and fgjnine Uiere overted in Bangladesh, thanks
 isi

mainly to India's tiraiely and generous aid. Now that the days

of massive Indian aid to Bangladesh are coming to an end,

the issues of on which India's sincerity will be put to test

are those involving, for example, long term cooperation in

flood control and harnessing of rivers to the benefit of both

countries.

163, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, FARAKKA

BASKA^; WATER DISTRIBUTION.

BHAUMIK (Kirit). Indo- Bangladesh water studies: kinited

Achievement. Times of India. 1974, Feb., 21 ; 4,

The author discusses that it will now be up to the Indian

P.M. and Bangladesh Prime Minister to find a satisfactory

solution to the problem of sharing the Ganga waters when

Sheikh visit Delhi. After libration, India and %ngladesh

decided to cooperate in this field. The friendlahip agreement

signed by than provided for joint studies and joint action

for flood controv A joint rivers commission was setup.

Little work has been done by commission efexcept conducting

an intensive aerial and grand survey of the ganga from

Farakka upto 120 miles downstream. Indo- Bangla cooperation

in utilising the water resources is likely to be limited

for same time because Dacca's five year plan emphasises

tubel irrigation the issue of sharing the teerta waters may

also go up to the prime ministers.

 182

164. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, GANGA ^FARJlKKAr

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION.

DATTA (Sunanda K ) . India and Bangladesh: Misrepresenting the

farakka Dispute. Statesman. 1980, May,20;6.

the author says that addressing the Dacca rotary club

•he Indian high Commissioner to Bangladesh Mr. M.Dubey,

wanned that relations between the two countries "cannot

remain stagnant for long without getting worse." Frustration

over all other matters finds expression in Dacca's be

wildered resuitment of India misconceptions over the

Farakka dispute. We know in India the east Bengal's demands

progressively increased from, 20,00 cusecs in 1954 to

49000 in 1968. But we may not be justified in regarding this

as evAdance of obstractiveness. The farakka dispute with the

centre suddenly and belotedly championing west Bengal's rights

to admanish Bangladesh and the left front falling into

the trop with an obliging resolution in the Assembly,

highlights another complicating factor.

165. INDO BENGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE. GAHGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE WATER DISTRIBUTION,

END OF a dispute. Financial Express. 1977, Ap, 21;4.

Paper deals with the "understanding" reached between India

and Bangladesh on the sharing of Ganga waters will be

 183

warmly welcomed in both the countries. The details of

understanding now reached are yet to be finalised. An
official delegation from Bangladesh is expected to come
for this purpose. The major problem is not so much the
shortage of water as it efficient management and utilisation,
A |5 sprit of give and take on the part of both India and
Bangladesh is essential. It is to be hoped that the new
understanding will help the two countries solve outstanding
disputes in such fields as trade and corrimerce.

166. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, FARAKKA BARRAC

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

FARAKKA WATERS. AMRITA BAZAR PATRIKA, 1976, Feb, 20;6.

The article deals with that it is unfortiinate that the

proposed 'talks on sharing of ganga waters should be helped
V

up by an entirely unexpected objection raised by the

Bangladesh government. The talks should be precided, by an
undertaking on the part of India to stop using the farakka
feeder canal. This uncalled for precondition has been declared
by Delhi to be "unacceptable". The Bangladesh to demand means
that India should not use the waters at farakka even
during the "non-team" period, when the problemis one of
excess water and flood rather than that of limited
 184

supplies. ^ technical problem has been given a political-

cum emotional complexion. Compared to Bangladesh India
is the major reparian country for the ganga waters. India
is prepared to consider the minor partner's needs subject
to her own claim on water for substaining her agriculture,
•industry and commerce.

167. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS^WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION.

REEDY(BK). FARAKKA: India opposed to more extension of accord.

Times of India. 1982, Sep, 1;6.

Paper studies the latest round of Indo-Bangla ministerial

level talks ended in Dacca with no progress at all on the two
interrelated issues of sharing the available waters while
taking steps to augment the flow to meet the joint requirements,
The Bangladesh strutegy is to compel India to agree to a
new "Sharing formula" pending an accord on the more fundamental
issue of augmentation. The attempt is to delink the two
questions in effect by continuing the present sharing
arrangement, without making it in any way contigent on an
early understanding to make a detailed study of each others
schemes for augmenting the flow in due course. It is
for this reason that India is opposed to a simple extention
of the enterim on November 4, 80 any new arrangement for

avoiding an interuption of the present sharing formula has to .

be backed by a matching commitment to make a serious effort
to final a permanent solution to this problem.
 185

168. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION.

GANGA WATERS. £atr4ot. 1980, Jul, 17;3.

The article deals with that It is tragic that the agreement

between•India and Bangladesh on sharing of Ganga waters is
coming apart at the seams, the good will that besterred the
two sides in 1977 has been frittered away instead of being
utilised to build a more permanent arrangement for the
utilisation of river waters in the region for mutual benefit
of two countries. President Zia-ur-Rahman may have demostic
compulsions in striking a recalcitrant posture on the
question of sharing of Ganga waters. It is also likely
that Dacca is being encouraged by others who wish to
disjjurb harmony in this region. But when the matter is taken
up at the political level the genuiness of such urbane
pharasis as "good neighbourliness" and "shared sacrifices"
will be put to test.

169. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTEljnGANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

GANGA WATERS. Patriot. 1984, ^pril, 6;6.

The article deals with that predictably, the latest talks

in Dacca on the sharing of ganga waters between India and
Bangladesh have produced no result. There is no agreed
solution in sight unless a new arrangement is hammered out
at a summit meeting in near future. The difficulty in finding
an acceptable solution his not in the absence of any feasible
 186

proposal, but in the attitude which does not allow the

acceptance of a solution.

170, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

GESTURE ON farakka, Hindustan Times. 1976, Mar, 31;6.

Paper discusses about the reply from Bangladesh to India's

note on March 11 on the question of ganga waters has abviously

been unhelpful. At any (bther time Bangladesh's dilatoriness and

its reluctance to come to the negotiating table could have been

treated in a leisurely manner. It has decided unilaterally to

reduce its own intake at farakka so as to raise the supply

of water available for use in Bangladesh, A mutual agreement

is essnetial but there is the danger that instead of

responding to the Indian gesture in the sight spirit. Bangladesh

may seek to make political capital out of it by depicting is

as an Indian claimdown under pressure, Bangladesh has

changed its stand on the ganga waters to sharply in the

short course of a few weeks. Let it came to the conference

table to explain what actually it wants,

171, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER QISPUTE, GANGA, FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,

GHOSH (MANISH). Ershad for early visit by Rao, Statesman

1982, Ap, 6:8.

Gives description regarding the Lt. Gen. H.M. Ershad, wants

 187

the Indian foreign minister % . P.V. Narasimha Rao to visit

Dacca to prepare a grannd for the rivers of the farakka

agreement, scheduled for the next month. The Gen. Epshad

has indicated that he qould be Mr. Rao's host and would

personally lead the Bangladesh delegation at the talks.

The lost meeting of the Indo-Bangladesh JRC held in Dacca

had recommended a high level political meeting betweeniius

the two countries.

172. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS WATER DISPUTE,,GANGA^WATER

DISTRIBUTION.

HASAN SHAHRIAR. Dhaka for extension of Ganga pool. Indian

Express. 1984, Feb, 27;7.

The author discusses that the Bangladesh has suggested to

India that the existing agreement of sharing of Ganga

waters shared be extended for a perio of three years, it

is learnt. The agreement reached between P.M. Mrs. C^andhi

and ^resident General Ershad express on May 31. The suggestion

is based on the fact that the J R C has not been able to

accept either of the two proposals for augmantation of the

flow of ganga water because of social economic and

implementation problems and since the two proposals have

been rejected the J R C could be given a mandate to eeach

for an alternative. The JRC which met in Delhi this month

will have another meeting in Dacca but no substantial outcome

is likely.
 188

173. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS^WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION.

HASAN SHAHRIAR, Indo-%ngladesh JRC meeting today, Indian

Express. 1984, Feb, 13;6.

The author says that while memorandum of understanding

on water sharing and augmentation of the flas of Ganga
waters express on April 6, the Indo-Bangladesh joint
commission is having its 26th ministerial level meeting in
Hew Delhi. The two sides have submitted two different
proposals, but none of thftm is agreeable to accept the
others. The Indian proposal invisages a canal between
Assam and W. Bengal to link Ganga-Brahamputra. The Bangladesh
proposalsuggests storage dams in Nepal. If they are
implemented the problem of water during the leav period will
go. The two sides have exchanged data. View's on each other
proposals wiil be placed before the Delhi meeting for
discussion.

174. INDO BAGLADESH RELATIONS WATER DISPUTE GANGA PARAKKA, BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

INCHING ALONG the Ganga, Indian Express. 1984, Feb, 18;7.

Highlights the claim of the irrigation minister Mr. R.N.

Mardha, that India and Bangladesh have made considerable
progress on sharing the ganga water must be taken with
 189

a pinch of sa-^t. The adhoc extension of farakka runs out

on April 7, The joint river commission has held the pot
boiling and some progress has been made at the technical
level. But the problem has always been political rather
then technical and can not be tackled effectively except
at the highest level. Position on both sides remain entrenched.

175. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS WATER DIPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,

INDERJIT, Delhi, Dacca and friendship. Economic Times. 1981,

April, 7,

The author says that today Dacca and Bangladesh figure in

our newspapers only occassionally when the Ganga waters issue
hits the headline or Calcutta crees out aloud for more water
in the Hooghly for survival. Yet, Bangladesh is as important
to India as India to Bangladesh, Take fararkka. Both India
and Bangladesh have made proposals for ailgmenting the waters
of the Ganga, Bangladesh has opposed the proposal and instead
suggested schemes in Nepal for harnessing the waters of the
Ganga basin Fortunately however, president Zia is anxious
to build bridges with India. Dacca also feels changing
over Delhi's "failure" to hand over certain enclaves to
Bangladesh and to resolve the dispute over its maritime
bounda]ry.
 190

176, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS WATER DISPUTE,GANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION.

INDIA AND Bangladesh. National Harald. 1982, Jul, 2 2,6.

Paper describes the Indo-Bangladesh joint river commission

has made a break through which should cause rejoining in

both countries. The real cause of satisfaction is however,

the agreement to confine the ganga waters issue to bilateral

forum. This means that the suggestion to involve third countries

like, Nepal has been dropped. The two countries will now

discuss how they can accomodate each other in such a way

that the water needs of both are fulfilled. The problem

of ganga waters is not really a major issue as international

water disputes go. Only during the two months can difficulties

arise and almost 10 months in the year. There is enough

water in the river for the needs of both countries.

177. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION.

INDO BANGLADESH TALKS on sharing of the Ganga water, Indian

and foreign Rev. 15;1, 1977, Oct, 15;7.

Gives an account of the India and Bangladesh have reached

an accord on the issue of sharing the Ganga waters at farakka.

The agreement initialled in New Delhi on 30 September, covers

 191

interim agreements for sharing of the waters at Farakka as well

as the findings of a solution to the long term problem of

augmenting its flaw,The agreement also provides for the

setting up of a joint committee of exp<Jrts of both sides

for implementing short term proposals,

178. nJDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, (3ANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,

MALHOTRA (Inder). Farakka and its fallout: Delhi Dacca

differences. Times of India 1981, Jan, 15;8.

Gives description regarding the latest round of ministrial

talks between both countries on the sharing of ganga water

was inconclusive. The truth is that the protracted negotiations

on this subject have been deadlocked so l)adly as to be in

danger of being dead before long. The present divergence

between the approaches of the two sides is so great that too

lock for a meeting ground between them is like expecting

two parallel lines to meet, Farakka may be the most talked

of and even the most inportant issue between India and

Bangladesh,

179, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION,

MALHOTRA (Inder). Relations with Bangladesh: Farakka and its

fall out. Times of India, 1980, May, 1;8.

 192

The author says that oaly those out of touch with reality
could have been surprised by the failure of the latest
sound talks between India and Bangladesh. For once joint
river corranission appointed under the farakka accord signed
by the Janata Government in NQV, 1977. has even despfijnsed
with the formality of recording the two sides agreement
to disagree. And alt,hough another meeting of the JRC in
Dacca during June has been modfed, it is clear that the
deadlock cannot be broken at the technical level at which the
commission functions. As in this country so in Bangladesh
opinion on Farakka has hardened of late.

180. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA,BARRAGE

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

MIRCHANDANI {GG). Towards a solution of Farakka. Indian and

Foreign review. 1977, June, 1; 11-12.

Discusses about the Farakka talks were resumed in Dacca on April

15 with Mr. Jagjiwan Ram who had joined the New non-congress
government as the defdnce minister, again leading the Indian
delegation. An "understanding was reached after three days
of talks. The Indian ministry of external affairs, in a press
release, said: " The purpose of there talks will be to
negotiate and finalize an agreement between the two countries
Incompassing both long-term solutions to the problem and
incorporating the procedures and modalities for giving
 193

effect to the understanding between the t^wo countries

in Dacca recently" The understanding now reached might

hopefully spell the end of a dispute which began in the

fifties when Bangladesh was still the eastern wing of

Pakistan.

181. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE (SANGA FARAKKA,

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION.

MOOKERJKA (Debes). Farakka project: The great bitragal of

1977. Amrita Bazar Patrika. 1980 N Q V , 10; 7.

Discusses the recent pe discord on Ganga waters in the

talks between India and Bangladesh has ag^^in become an

important issue in the internal and spherefe/ more so because

of the current turnial in this pari: of the world, next to the

Indian subcontinent. The francess of the Indo-Bangla

agreement in 1977 were, it is hoped fully coneious about

the matter while such a treaty was drafted and ultimately

signed. The agreement compajetely ignore, tather amgalls

the very purpose for which the project was framed, sanctioned

and executed.

182. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, G^kNGA, WATER

DISTRIBUTION.

NO LONGER bilateral. Amrita Bazar Patrika^ 1979, May 17.

The article deals with that from the statements made by the

Union minister of irrigation Mr. S.S. Baripiala, it is

 194

quite clear that the janata governir^ent has committed itself

to the first step towards internationalization of the

problem of the distribution of ganga waters between India

and Bangladesh. When Bangladesh had tried to utilise the

U.N. forum on this issue India took the categorical stand that

all difficulties were to be decided through bilateral talks

between the two countries concerned in the matter neither

the U.N. nor thiifd country would be allowed to come in.

183. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA, FARA KA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

PHAONIS (Umashankar). Rao visit may pave way for Farakka pact.

Hiddustan Times 1980, Aug, 14/7.

The author says that the twooday visit of external affairs

minister. P.V. Narsimha Rao, to Dacca, is intended primarily

to ex|)lore the possibility of establishing a broad rapport with

Bangladesh which would help in reaching a mutually acceptable

solution to the farakka project. In fact at the conclusion

of the last round of JRC in Dacca, it was decided that at the

two sides were unable make up their minds it would be best

left to the highest level for providing the commission with

a fresh get of guidelines for the J.R.C. to workon. The

agenda for the talks between Mr. Rao and Prof. Haq is not

a predetermined one precise^ to allow th4man opportunity to

understand each other mind.

 195

184. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

POLITICS IN Water. Statesman, 1982, Mar, 2;6.

Paper describes about the DaccA's proposal to reactivate

the standing conunittee and local committees to consider
water disputes happly suggest that the Indo-Bangladesh JRC
as no longer in danger of being mised in the Hooghly's bed.
But while the next session to be held in N|ew DelHi in June
May confirm the constructive climate in which the last,
meeting seen^s to have been held, there is a little indication
as yet of a permanent forroula for sharing the Ganga's waters.
There may have been round seasons far in effect, subordinating
the farakka issue to overall relations between India and
Bangladesh, it should also be realized that there can be no
general rappoachment untill this major irtitant is removed,

185. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GMGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTIONS,

POLITICS OF Farakka. F r o n t e e s . 1976, J e , 5; 1-3,13.

The a r t i c l e d deals with t h a t the controversey over Farakka

drags on as i t did before the b i r t h of Bangladesh i r r e s p e c t i v e
of the s e t - u p on Dacca, I t i s c l e a r t h a t the Farakka touches
c e r t a i n deep chards in Bangladesh of which many people in
India are unaware. An exchange of notes and v i s i t has been
 196

going on between New Delhi anci Dacca. There i s t a l k of

c e r t a i n extraneous i s s u e s . ' Mr, BtM, Abbas, a co-chairman
of the Indo-Bangladesh j o i n t r i v e r s commission, has
spokan of the adverse e f f e c t s of u n i l a t e r a l withdrawl of
Ganga waters by India on the economy of Bangaldesh. The
f e e l i n g of mobilisation over farakka i s almost universal in
Bangladesh.

186. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE? GANGA, FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

POLITICS OF WATER. Statesman. 1982, Jul, 6.8.

The article deals with that it may not be intirely without

reason that governments go through the nations of serious

negotiation even when they know this to bee pure siteral. The

recent New Delhi talks between India and Bangladesh on the sharii

of Ganga waters must be regarded as having been a pointless

exercise. It is perfectly understandable that Mr. Obaidulla Khan,

the Bangaldesh agriculture minister should have wanted somthing

to show for tkis diplomatic laboursj!;XHewo,s reported that he

would return home with positive results." But he could harty

exceed his brief which clearly did not permit any departure

at this stage from Dacca's known stanfi. Nor was Mr, Kedar

Pandey authorised any new Indian emitiative. A point statement

said that augmentation of the flow of ganga at farakka was

now a matter to be decided at a "high political level" and that

the process has started."

 197

187. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,WATER DISTRIB-

UTION.

POSITIVE PROGRESS, Indian Express. 1982, Dec, 25;6.

Paper highlights the negotiations in Delhi this week with

India's two immediate neighbours, Bangaldesh and Pakistan

have satisfactorily concluded, carrying forward the steady

process of an improvement in relations. The meeting of the

India Bangladesh joint river commission has yielded agreement

on the establishment of a committee which will look into the

proposal earlier put forward by the two sides, Bangaldesh

is now preposed to look at the Brahmputrai ganga link canal

pro osed by India while India seems ready to consider the

Bangaladesh proposal for Himalyan storages in Nepal which

will neccessarity entail a joint approach to that country

at some stage, initially for data and, later, for substantative

cooperation.

188, iNDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, FARJ4KKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,

ROY(LB). Alternative to farakka. Hindustan Times 1974, Oct, 2;9,

Gives description regarding the question of sharing the water

of ganga between India and Bangladesh seems to defy soluticbn

However the very purpose of building the farakka barrage, savinc

Calcutta port is languishing day by day for want of a suitable

waterway providing passage of ships to the sea the hooghly

near Calcutta and down stream, suffer from four main problems;
 198

high solenity havy silting, poor navigability, five or six

sharp bonds and 100 sunker ships, and the increasing frequecy

and intensity of tedal bores. The incursion of sea water

can be restricted by constructing a barrage across the hooghly

near budge Calcutta port needs a waterway that will maintain

a uniform and constant depth of 40 feet thought ,ut its length.

Once the barrage is coitplete there would be no secussing

expenses to keep the saline content of the river near Calcutta

within limits.

189. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

ROYCHOUDHARY (P). Farakka: Dhaka tirade likely. Times of India.

1981, Ap, 7;9.

The author says that A fresh round of Anti-India tirade may be

unleashed in Bangladesh this summer on the question of farakka

waters according to the reports from Dhaka. According to an

official spokeman here India has submitted to the Bangladesh

administration a complete blue print of the Ganga-Brahamputra

link up. Official spokeman assert that Indian proposal was never

intended to cause any harm to Bangladesh. This is not the

first time when an attempt is being made to mount an anti-India

tirade on this question. Many problems can be solved if an

arrangement is made to divert the surplus water of the

 199

Brahmputra into the Ganga, experts point out. According

to exports, at the benefits are taken into account, the project

cost morethan Rs. 10,000 crores according to one estimate

would be worthwhile,

190. INDO-BAKGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,WATER

DISTRIBUTION.

SEN(D) Dacca proposes visit by Rao. Move to resolve ganga

issue.HinduStan Times. 1982, Mar, 13;6.

The author discusses that the Bangladesh la reported to have

prop©sed to India that the two countries neet in Dacca in

April at the foreign ministers level. One view held in certain

quarters in Bangladesh is that a meeting of the two foreign

ministers would be mandatory before India's irrigation minister

and the water resources minister of Bangladesh take up in

may a review of the five year agreement on the sharing

of Ganga waters which is due to expire in November two year.

191. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

SIDE SHOW in Dacca, Statesman, 1982, Mar, 8;6.

The article deals with that it is just as wall that Hew

Delhi has announced its determination not to allow recent ssxx

irritants in Dacca to impair relations between both c untries

Too many unresolved issues of far greater consequences to the

 200

people of both countries await solution for official attention

to be discracted by irrisponsible provocations, however delib-
erate they may appear.Sfjustified annoyance has an adverse
effect on talks to fanalize the land frontier, sponsor cooperati
ion in the use of water, and draw up an agreement on farakka,
it will only save the narrow interests of those Beetions of
Bangladeshi who disapprove of close and cordial Xlk ties with
India.

192. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

SITTING ON the fence. Statesman. 1984, May, 6;6.

Paper deals with the dispute with India over the erection
of the barbed fense how provided General Ershad with a much
needed excuse to stire up chami istic feeling in an attempt
to divert attention from dmoestic politivs. Gen. Ershad himself
has indulyed in some irrisponsible sheteric in recent days:
^e claimed credit for ryeding outsight" India's proposal for a ]
canal at farakka and assisted that since 10 crores of mentions
equalled 100 crores of other people, he would not how to anyone.
Hew Delhi which often progress strong sympathy with demarcatic
forces in the subcontinent should be particularly careful at
this juncture in not offering Bangladesh's Martial law
administration easy pretexts to delay the return of army to
its barracks.
 201

193. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, Gi^NGA^FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

STALEMATE CONTINUES. Amrita Bazar Patrlka^ 1980, Mar, 4;7.

Paper highlights the failure of the Joint river coiranission

to reach agreement on augmeliting the flow of ganga waters is
not likely to cause any surprise in two country. Bangaldesh is
not prepared to give up the advantageous position whidh
it was able to secure from Janata government in 1977
Although the Calcutta portis minimum requirement is 40000
cusecs, it is now getting only 12000 cusecs under article 2
of he agreement of 1977. There is specific provision in
the agreement itself for reviews of its provisions, but
periodical meetings of JRC can serve no useful purpose of one
of the parties concerned attaches no importance at all
to changing situaition.

194. INDO-BANCT.ADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, G#LNGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

STONE WALLING ON the Ganga, Statesman 1973, July, 20;6.

•'^aper studies the Indo-Bangladesh joint statement on the

sharing of the ganga waters says little and it by no means
an answer to west Bengal's hopes for Calcutta port Moreover
the nature of the problem is such, that both the Indian and
deligations were clearly out of their depths and could
not take any decision that would invitably have long term
implications for both countries. Dacca may choose to stay
silent on this and many other related questions because answer
 202

favourable to India would be grist to anti~India mills which

Mujib has to seckon with. It is possible that Dr. K.L. Rao's
own controversial but briefly held view that the hooghly
could easily make to with 20000 cusecs has made a stronger
impression on Bangladesh than can easily be corrected. If
the Dacca deligation went into the conference with a closed mind
the Indian team appears to have gone there without doing its
homework.

195, INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA?FARAKKA BARRAGE

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

TROUBLED WATERS ahead. Statesman. 1982, May, 20;6.

Paper discribes the unfortunate argument between India and

Bangladesh deligates at the united nations environment programme
meeting in Nairdri possibly reflected hardening attitudes on the
farakka issue which will shortly have to be re-negotiated.
An alternative explanation could be that both countries are keen
on projecting a certain rigidity as a bargaining counter.
General Ershad has announced, for instance, that Dacca will
never compromise national needs and interest under any pressure,"
not to be outdone, Mr. Kedar Pandey retorted that New Delhi would
not budge an inch; while Mr, Narsiiriha Rao added for good
measures that he wooId take a firm stand in the next round
of talks.
 203

196. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARIJiGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

WAITING FOR farakka. Statesman. 1981, Jan.,13,

The article deals with that It is to be hoped that India

and Bangladesh will be more successful in resolving their

differences over farakka when the review teams meet in

Dacca next month thab they were in the last rounds. India's

justified c se is that since this country accounts for 90

percent of the Ganga's length with an infinitely bigger area

and population dependent on the river, it has a perior claim

to its water, Bangladesh countries with the argument that a high(

propotion of its land and people rely on the Ganga. The

Bangladeshi suggestion of dams in Nepal reinforce the Ganga's

flow is unacceptable to India, India will perhaps unilaterally

decide how to share the waters. It may be too late by then

to save Calcutta port.

197, INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

WIDER PERSPECTIVE. Hindustan Times, 1973, July, 26;5,

The article deals with that although the recent Indo-Bangladesh

talks on the farakka project were inconclusive, one positive

gain has been the agreement to refer the Question to the two

prime ministers for a political decision. The farakka project

does not have to be sacrificed and can be implemented without

any adverse consequence on Bangladesh given on overall

Ganga-teesta Brahamputra basin development programme. Since

 204

the farakka programme is due to be commissioned in

1974, there may be an interim problem spread over ttae or

three years while longer tx term solution are gradually

are brought into effect. A large basin development programme

of the kind suggested offers numerous alternatives and

trade off such as storage, flow and groundwater irrigation

power, navigation flood control, and transit,

198. INDO- BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE <3ANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE WATER DISTRIBUTION.

WISE AGREEMENT. Hindustan Times. 1974, Beb, 20;8.

The article fieals with that of the bilateral problem discussed

at Dacca during the Mr, Swaran Singh's visit to Bangladesh,

the most significant were those relating to farakka barrage

and transit facilities for India tbuough that country. India

has said it will not bring the Carakka project into operation

untill the two countries have agreed on the allocation of the

Ganga waters. The Bangladesh government has been specially

concerned about this, and the Indian response, disappointing

though it may be to same, is wise. The two governments are (bf

the view that there is enough water in Ganga to satisfy

the needs of both countries. In the matter of transit facilities

which would open up mamipur, Tripura Cochar and Mizoram

to the Indian heartland and the outside world across the

Bangladesh aid by sea, the Indian and Banglasides have also

reached agreement in principii.

 205

199. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

ZIAUR OPTIMISTIC of Farakka solution.Patriot. 1980. June,22;4.

Gives an accounts of the Bangladesh president General Zia-ur-

Rahman has said he is optimistic that the problem of sharing

of the Ganges between India and Bangladesh could be sorted

out given "good understandings between the two countries.

The president said "our problems have got to be realised by the

peopJje and the Government of India and the Ganges is our life

for more than one quarter of our people in region south west

of the country.

200. ISDO-BANGALADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA BAPJIAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

MUNSI (Muml). Rivers in Delhi-Dacca ties. Patriot. 1982,

1982, bet, 21;6.

The author says that the recently concluded discussions between

India's prime minister and president of Bangladesh on Indo-

Bangladesh relations included exchange of ideas on the use

of ganga water and the future of the farakka agreement. It

is evident that the use of Teesta and Brahamputra water to

the best interest of both the countries also figured in this

high level exchange. It is notable that the world bank has been

showing considerable interest in Ganga. Brahamputra link

scheme. The teesta scheme is already under construction in

west Bengal. The Ganga Brahamputra link canal can be constructed

as proposed through Bangladesh.

 206

201. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, C3ANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION, BANGLADESH VIEW POINT.

PRESSURE DOES not pay. Financial Express. 1976, Sep., 2;4.

Describes the Bangladesh's latest effect to get the farakka

issue included in the agenda of the forth coming U.N. General
assembly aptly fat into the pattern it has invited with a view
to inteimationalising its dispute with India. The process was
actually started early this year when without any justifica-
tion either political or technical, and in the total disregard
to the April 19 75 agreement between the two countries Dacca ±x±si
informed New Delhi that "Any withdrawl during any past of the
year of farakka or even further upstream" should be subject
to the perior approval of the Bangladesh Government. New
Delhi very rightly rejected this directive as the quentum
of water which India could legitimately withdraw from the
Ganga during the time other than the leau period.

202. INDO BENGLADESH RELATI0^"3^WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, FARAKKA BARRAGE

WATER DISTRIBUTION, BANGLA VIEW POINT.

SHARING GANGA WATERS. Indian Express. 1980, 26;8.

J^aper highlights the drought has aggravated the problem

of sharing the ganga waters between India and Bangladesh
to point where the farakka agriment between the two count/'ries
has become unternable even as a short term agreement
 207

It is termination when it comes up for review in November

later this year is a foregoneconclusion. But in the last two

years of the operation of farakka agreement, when natural

conditions were more favourable, no progress now made to

reach a stable solution of this problem, '^hile India is favoured

a link canal between Ganga and Brahamputra, and Bangladesh

offers the building of reserving tn Nepal as a mare practical

solution. There can be no solution in a competition

maximise unilateral advantages.

203. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, Gi\NGA, FARAKKA BARRAGE

WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD.

DEADLOCK IN Dacca. Tribune. 1980, Jul, 14;6.

The article deals with that while describing the latest

round of the talks on the Ganga waters as "a step forward,"

Mr. •'^^dar pandey union minister of irrigation, was being

excessively optimistic. The present policies of the two

countries on the issue of river wate rs infact run on

parallel lines, Dacca has repeatedly attempted to internat-

ionalise the issue by seeking to include ^fepal in the

negotiations, even though according to the farakka accord

signed in November 1977, both countries decided to tackle

the problem on the bilateral basis. The joint statement

issued after the joint river commission's Dacca session

 208

envisages summit talks between president Zia ur Rahman and

^rs. Gandhi in Delhi ia September to settle the issue.

It is obvious that unless Bangladesh abondous extraneous

considerations and judges the issue purely on metits, an

agreement may not be possible even at the. September summit.

204. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS! . ,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD.

INDERJIT,Delhi, Dacca and friendship. Naqpur times. 1981,

Ap. 10;6.

The author discusses that the Bangladesh and its capital

Dacca are a far from Dellji and most other parts of India,

barring West-Bengal and Assam ten years ago, Dacca was

very much on our minds as the people of Bangladesh than

east Palistan, courageously raised the banner of libration,

Yet Bangladesh is as important to India as is India to

Bangladesh Today, Dacca and Bangladesh figure in our

Newspapers only occassionally. When the Ganga waters issue

hits the headlines or Calcutta cries out aloud for more

water in the Hoogly for survival,

105. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, C5ANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD.

JOINT RIVERS commission. Economic Times. 1979, May, 21;5.

The article deals with that the warning sounded recently

by congressman Bipinpal Das against involving Nepal in the

 209

Indo-Bangladesh joint river commission is certainly timely

and merits some consideration comming as it does on the

he its of the seventeenth meeting of the commission in

New Delhi, which achieved substantively little. It is

remainder to the government that an attempt at side

stepping its long time bilateral approach to the question

of augmenting the waters of ganga may not be in the national

interest. The inclusion of ^epal in the talks emerged as

a compromise formula to end the deadlock in the Indo-

Bangladesh consultations during prime minister Morarji

Desai's visit to Dacca last month. Since it is undenbtedly

a political concession to Bangladesh, the note of warning

sounded by an apposition member need not be dismissed as

needlessly alarmist.

206. INDO BAHGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,BRAHAMPUTRA,

FARAKKA BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,DRY PERIOD.

NIEGHBOURS AND friends. National if^erald. 1981, May, 23,6.

The article deals with that when Bangladesh foreign minister

Shamsul Haq comes to India, he can be assured of a friendly

welcome from a Neighbour whose unselfish good will has baen

proved time and again by deeds. There have b3en attempts

to internationalise in ganga waters issue, even though

India has offered liberal even genecQus terms to replace the

Ganga waters issue even though India has offered liberal

even generous terras to replace the ganga waters diverted

 210

to save Calcutta port with waters from Brahamputra basin.

None it is new Moore island, an Indian piece of territory,

and some one misguided e n o u ^ seems to have sent gunboats

in its vacinity. As of to go with it an anti India campaign

has been launched in the Bangladesh press.

207, INDO^BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPTDTE, GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD,

NO AGREEMENT on farakka. Statesman. 1974, Sep.,7;9,

Paper highlights the faratka disputes does not seem to be

nearer a relation after the recent meeting of the joint

rivers commission in Dacca, The commission has had a series

fruiters discussion, the last meeting particularly was

disappointing. As before its main contention s e m s to be

that the coir.missioning of the farakka will deprive Bangladesh

of essential spplies during the dry season. Bangladesh feels

that the water it will get from Ganga after the commission

of farakka barrage will be inedequate for dry season

irrigation. According to some Indian experts Dacca has not

given sufficient thought to the amount of ganga water it can

harness for irrigation after the farakka diversion what

Bangladesh seems to fear is that its technical options

will be limited after the farakka barrage is commissioned.

 211

208. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION,DRY PERIOD.

NO REASON to falter. Indian Express, 1984, April, 3;8.

aper studies the failure of the ministereal level Indo-

Bangla J.R.C. meeting just concluded in Dacca to find

a solution for taugled question of augmenting the dry-

season flow of ganga below farakka should not be taken

with resignation. Both sides have too much to lose

from a prolouged statemate, be ilone a breakdown of talks.

Meanwhile the J.R.C. is continue discussion on the

smaller coirmin or border rivers in ccichar Tripura

Mizoram sector on which some progress have been made

and will proceed with consultations on the sharing of

teesta waters on the basis of the joint studies

under'way,

209. INDO_BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY SEASON.

REAL ISSUE. Times of India, 1979, Sep. 13, 6.

Gives description regarding the joint Indo-Bangladesh

committee of experts on river waters has been unable

to reach any agreement at its three day meeting in

Delhi. Given the committee's task, this was invitable

During in ihis last visit to Bangladesh as prime Minister,

^•t. Morar j i Desai did agree to Dacca's preposal to

 212

to bring in Nepal as a third country involvement in Ganga

water problem But he also made it clear that no move should

be made in this regard untill Indian and %ngladesh experts

had jointly worked out the preeis" scap of Nepolese partici-

pation and the manner of seeking it. These has already been

a lot of talk about world Bank participation in various

schemes for harnessing the waters of the Ganga-Brahamputra

Bangladesh is K opposed to the Indian proposal to build a

ftanal to link the brahamputra,

210, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,DRY PERIOD.

REDDY (G.K.). Ganga waters talks; Mirdha has his work cut out.

Hindu. 1983, Feb, 2;7.

Attempts to explain the irrigation minister of India Mr.

R.N. Mirdha who has gone to Dacca to attend the 24th meeting

of J.R.C., will try to settle the differences between both

countries over the operation of the entrim arrangements for

the division of ganga waters pending on agreement of the

flow during the dry season. The 1977 interim agreement expressed

in November 1982, it was agreed during the General H.M.

Ershad's visit to India. The memorandum of under standing

signed at that time provided for the completion of feasibility

studies by March, 1984, on the economic and technical

aspects of the alternative schems submitted by the two sides.

 213

211. INDO BANC3J^DESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, GASfGA^FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD.

SHARING GANGA Waters. Times of India. 1982, Jul. 2;10.

Highlights the several rounds talks between India and

Bangladesh in the part on the sharing of the Ganga waters

have temout to be virtual was outs. Happily the latest sound

between Mr. Kedar pandey, irrigation minister and the

Agriculture minister of Bangladesh, Mr. A.Si.M. Obaidul.lah

has escaped that fate for two good reasons. First the two

delegations took the realistic view that the problem of

sharing the Ganga waters. Secondly the latest talks took

place in a much more propitious atmosphere than at any

time at recent years. Mr, Narsimha Rao's visit to Dacca

last month contribtted a great deal to improve the atmosphere.

212. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER,DISTRIBUTION DRY PERIOD.

SUCCESSFUL SUMMIT (L). ¥imes of India. 1982, ^ct, 9;8.

Paper deals with the India Bangladesh surmit could not have

been frundlier or more fruitful of its several adhievementssn

the most important is the agreement embodied in a memorandum

of understanding, to make a fresh start on the vexid issue

of sharing the ganga waters they have coradedly admitted

 214

that the 1977 agreement has been unsatisfactory the two

sides have also agreed that should the Ganga's flow during

either of the next two dry seasons fall precipitately

below normal^ the two Government enter into negotiations

to cape with the emergency. The two sides have now agreed

that both proposals should be considered by the joint rivers

commission which must come to a decision within 18 months,

213. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DIPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA MAXSR

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD, BANGLA VIEW POINT.

ENOUGH IS Enough, Naqpur Times, 1980, Mar,8;9.

The article deals with that not satisfied with the concessions

made in October 1977, Bangladesh is now bring extraneous

matters in sharing farakka waters and insisting on involving

^epal. The October accord had required the evolution

of long term solution between the two countries. But

Bangladesh is plainly wanting to seek excusses for gaining

more and more concession. Bangladesh leaders do not seems to

realise that farakka barrage 4s chiefly meant to rescue

Calcutta port. There is so much surfece water in Bangladesh

which if the will to tap is there, can be change the whole

economy of that region. The world bank has brought home the

prospect of such a exercise but Bangladesh leaders ful it

is easier to find fault with India and the world Bank any

go abour shouting against both. But time has come for India

to tell the Bangladesh that enough is enough and that its

own vital interest can not be allowed to suffer for inaction

on its own part.

 215

214. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, C5ANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRijIBUTION,DRY PERIOD BANGLAS VIEW POINT.

FARAKKA ISSUE again. Tribune. 1978, ^ g , 21; 6.

Discusses the reported move of the Bangladesh Government

to terminate the farakka accord on the sharing of ganga

waters and-its suggestion to include Nepal in the J.R.C. is

hardly surprising India's stand on tHis issue has been

unambigious right from the start. She is opposed to third

party interference in what she rightly regards as a

purely bilateral problem,

215. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE^WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD, BANGLA VIEW POINT.

GANGA WATERS accord. Hindustan Times. 1977, April, 19,7.

The article deals with that this is the first dry season

since the 1975 agreemett on farakka that Bangladesh and India

can hope to settle down to a bisurely view of the sharing

of Ganga waters, thanks to the understanding that has just

been reached at Dacca by the countries lefl respectively, by

Mr, Jagjiwan Ram and Gen, Ziaur Rahman, The immediate

thrust of the understanding in with regard to the allocation

of the Ganga waters for the cu'-rent dry season. As Mr.

Jagjiwan Ram himself how put it the results of the Dacca

talks will show in mutual benefits in several directions."

These can be taken to include border security and trade.

 216

216. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS/WATER DISPUTE,GANGA, WATER

DISTRIBUTION,DRY PERIOD,BANGLA VIEW POINT.

MUKHOPOIHYAY (Asim). River of Contention Econ and Pol Wkly,

15;17.1960, April, 26; 766-68.

The author says that any further delay in settling dispute

between India and Bangladesh over the sharing of river

waters in the Gangetic basin will have serious repercussions

on the economic of the two countries as well as on mutual

relations between the two countries and excourage big powers

to exploit the situation to their advantage. The crux of the

problem relotes to the sharing of the waters of the Ganges

and ways of augmenting its dry season flow. Bangladesh's

demand for the Ganges waters has been going up rapidly

New Delhi has recently ainniounced its decision to form new

committee of experts to review the overall situation. So

fresh complications may be expected.

217. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS/WATER DISPUTE, G/VNGA^FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD, BhliGLA VIEW POINT.

SUSPICIOUS MAKES the problem intractalbe. Hindu. 1982, Jul,

24;9.

The article deals with that (the optimistic note) that the

^nion irrigation minister ^r, R.N. Mirdha shock after

last week s meeting of the Indo-Bangladesh joint river

commission in Dacca came as a welcome change from the

 217

disultory negotiations that were dragging on almost inter-

mirably over the Ganga water issue, ^oth countries agree

that the flows of the ganga during the dry season are gradually

diminishing/ but not do so on the reasons for it. Bangladesh

has said that the dry reason flows in ganga would not have

been so severely affected but for excessive withdrawls in

the upper reaches in '-'ttar Pradesh and Bihar.

218. lllDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,DRY PERIOD, BANGLA VIEW POINT.

WIDER FRAMEWORK. Hindustan Times. 1973, '^uly, 12,7.

^iscusses about the problems arising out of the approaching

completion of the farakka project are to be; discussed at a

meeting between the Indian and Bangladesh irrigations ministers

in Delhi, The Bangladesh irrigation and food control minister

Mr. Khandekar has expressed some anxiety about the consequences

ofH the inauguration of the farakka project for Bangladesh.

The apparent conflict of interest between Bangladesh and

% d i a is superficial because it is possible to conceive

of solutions based on atteractive sources of water supply

as far example by use of ground water or by a Brahamputra

Ganga link-and by redistributing the total runoff the

Ganga system over different seasons through storage.

Thinking on the farakka problem has to be lefted from narrow

statistics of dry season flows to a much broader framework

of the kind described.

 218

219^ INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD,INDIAN VIEW POINT.

MISRA (KP). Farakka accord. World Today. 34;2.1978,Feb,41-42.

Paper studies the long standing dispute over showing the

waters of the ][Ower ganges at farakka between •'-ndian and

Bangladesh was amicably resolved on 6 November 1977 when two

countries signed an accord in Dacca in the presence of the

locally stationed deplometic crops. The accord which provides

for shor ttrm as well as long term arrangeinnents, is likely

to have wider implications for south Asian International re-

lations. The flow of Ganga water at Farakka is not adequate

to meet the requirements of the two countreisowning to the

shortage of water the port of Calcut'^a started chocking up

with silt. India kind to meet the situation by constructing

a barrage at frakka at the cost of nearly Rs.l54 crores.

Before the compitation of the barrage. It was agreed between

the reads of two govts that it would not be put into

operation prior to a settlement regarding the allocation

of water during the leau period. The present agreement is

to run for fine years, but it may be extended further for

specific period by mutual concern in the light of past expe-

rience. The accord provided for an optimxim withdrawl of

40000 cusecs by India in the leau season. India's share begin

to go down from 1st Jan when it is at its optimum, and continues

to decrease at different rates till it reaches the last day

 219

of the leanest period (30 A p ) . The accord is an exercise

in sharing shortages by India and Bangladesh. Despite

remaining problems, howeverm the accord is symbolic of a

welcome new begining in bila.teral co-operation between

two countries.

220. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE.WATER DISTRIBUTION, DRY PERIOD, INDIAN VIEW POINT.

VERTUAL WASH OUT. ^'imes of India, 1980, Mr, 1; 6.

The article deals with that it is not surprising that the

latest round of the Indo-Bangladesh talks on sharing of

Ganga waters has ended in a vertual deadlock. Mrs. Gandhi

was opposed to the 1977 farakka agreement she and her

government are committed to implementing the accord in

letter and spirit. Bangladesh has persisted in a negetive

and dilatory attitude which amounts, for all practical purposes,

to a refusal to implement some crucial clauses of the agree-

ment what is mari Bangladesh is refusing even to look at

the Indian scheme for the construction of a link canal

between Brahamputra and Ganga. For if no progress can

be made on the long term plan with in the specified time

frame, India will have no option but to ask for the

scrapping of the five year formula for water sharing during

next years review of 1977 agreement which has also been

specifically provided for in the accord irself.

 220

221. INDO BANGLADESH RLEATION^WATER DISPUTE, BJRAHAMPUTRA,

FARAKKA BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,DRY PERIOQINDIAN VIEW POINT.

YET ASOTHER O u t b t m s t . Times Of I n d i a , 1 9 8 4 , May, 1 2 ; 8 ,

H i g h l i g h t s t h e g o v e r n m e n t of B a n g l a d e s h p r o t e s t s t o o much.

In m a t t e r of t h e f o r e i g n r e l a t i o n s , w h i c h a r e g u i d e d by

d e m o s t i c i m p e r a t i v e s , t h e r u l e r s of B a n g l a d e s h h a v e become

a l m o s t p a t h o l o g i c a l l y do s e s s e d w i t h ademon manufactured

b y t h e i r own i m a g i n a t i o n . T h a t demen i s I n d i a . The latest

o u t b r u s t from f a r a k k a , from t h e i r r i g a t i o n m i n i s t e r , Mr.

O b a i d u l l a Khan i n Dhaka roust be u n d e r s t o o d i n this

light. I f Mr. Khan i s s e r i o u s a b o u t u t i l i s i n g t h e w a t e r s of

t h e B r a h a m p u t r a h e would do w e l l t o s t u d y dispossionality

I n d i a ' s p r o p o s a l of Ganga B r a h a m p u t r a l i n k c a n a l infeted

of i s s u i n g p o i n t l e s s t h r e a t s a b o u t c o n s t r u c t i n g a b a r r a g e

on t h e r i v e r . Now Mr. K h a n ' s o u t b u r s t seems t o be a i m e d

at fauling i t further, with almost c e r t a i n l y the same

demestic p o l i t i c a l purpose t h a t has generated the

E r s h a d ' s g o v e r n m e n t ' s t a n t r u m s o v e r t h e b o r d e r f e n c e . The

farakka issue has troubled Indo-Bangladesh r e l a t i o n s for

o v e r a decade d e s p i t e t h e l i m i t e d a g r e e m e n t s t h a t have been

reached,

222. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, CJANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTIRBUTION,DRY PERIOD,MINISTERIAL LEVEL TALKS.

FARAKKA TALKS. Economic t i m e s , 1980, NQV. 1 3 ; 5 .

D e s c r i b e s t h e o p t i m i s t i c a s s e s s m e n t made by t h e Undjon

i r r i g a t i o n m i n i s t e r on t h e outcome of t h e t a l k s a t the
 221

review meeting at Dacca on farakka agreement has not

exactly been waranted by the trend of the discussion.

It is regrettable that New Delhi's proposals for augmenting

the flow of Ganga by constructing gravity canals linking

Ganga and Brahmputra as a long term solution have been

rejected out of hand by Dacca, Bangladesh has been harping

on an asrrangement for constaicting reservoirs on the upper

tributaries of the Ganga in Nepal, thereby internationalising

a purely bilateral matter. Dacca's attempts at injecting

extraneous factors into bileteral issues have complicated

matters and made a solution more difficult. This clearly

shows that the New Delhi and Dacca are not on the same

wave length.

223. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, G^.NGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,FLOOD PERIOD.

CO-OPERATION IN Water Statesman. 1974, Mar, 12;9.

Paper discusses about the dicision recently taken by Indo

Bangla joint river commission remain incomplete without

are effort to solve the question of the farakka barrage.

This will be discussed when sheikh Mujib visits New Delhi.

The 26 mile feeder canal is expected to be ready by May,

and an early decision is needed. Agreement on farakka

could stimulate international cooperation between India,

Bangladesh, ''•^epal, Bhutan, ^ikkim, joint exploitation of

water resources has often been suggested as the only

answer to the problem of flood control, suit erosion,

pollution from sewage and other effluence, generation 6f

 222

HYDROELECTRICITY, and shipping and pisciculture. But

progress on there lines must await clearance of the farakka

project.

224. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, WATER

DISTRIBUTION, FLOOD PERIOD.

JOINT INDIA, B' desh rtver plan urged. Patriot. 1974, Feb,2,9.

Paper deals with the Indo-Bangladesh J.R.C. has suggested

coordination of the five years plan as food control and

water resources development in the Brahamputra, Ganga and

the Meghna, Besides establishing " a very good" flood

forecasting system, the commission has been able to solve

a number of local problems of to the mutual satisfaction

of the people in the border areas of both the countries.

The 7th meeting of the commission to be held in Delhi

will take stock of the work done by the commission so far.

225. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, C5ANGA, WATER

DISTRIBUTION, INDIAN VIEW POINT.

DACCA'S STAND? TIMES OF INDIA, 1978, Jul, 14;6.

Discusses the ministry of external affairs has been less than

can did in its latest statement on Indo-Bangla talks

an augmenting the Ganga waters so that the river can

meet the reguirements of both countries. It has said that

the discussion have not been broken off and that they would

be resumed. It is whether or not Bangladesh has proposed

 :23

that Nepal be brought into the picture and the world

bank be associated with subsiquent trip artite parleys.

India is opposed to such third party interference in bilateral

pro|>iems. The problem may still be managecible of DaccA's

objections to the Indian plan to build a link canal between

the Braharr5)utra and ganga and the ganga are mainly technical

and if it is willing to seek a bilateral solution.

226. I?^DO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, G;^..NGA,FR11AI<KA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,INDIAN VIEW POINT.

INDIA HAS Waited too long, ^mrita % z a r Patrika. 1982, June

30;7.

The article deals with that it is clear that the second review

meeting between India and Bangladesh on sharing of ganga

waters at farakka yielded no positive results. Even at the

second review meeting v^ich is the last before the expiry

of the agreement, Bangladesh Minister of Agriculture, r^,

A.Z.M. Obaidullah, did not indicate any change in the

attitude of Dacca. Both sides have therefore agreed to prepare

the ground for the fresh talks at a high political level.

The matter is obviously more urgent because the expiry

of farakka agreement of 1977 on 4 November. India will

no longer be under any obligation to supply wgter to it

according to the present sharing formula. It is therefore for

Bangladesh to take the initiative to find an acceptable solution,

 224

227. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, GJANGA, FARAKKA ^

BARRAGE WATER DISTRIBUTION, INDIAN VIEW POINT.

NAYYAR (Kuldip) Bangla share of waters may decrease.

Tribune 1982, Sept, 27;6.

Gives an account of the Bangladesh's share of waters of

Ganga from farakka is likely to go down when the five

year agreement between both expires on November 4 this year.

Two factors ane responsible for this our Mrs, Gandhi's

Government, feels that the pact is against the national

interest and two, the west Bengal Gowt has written'to the'

centres that it requires water for the Sundarbans are,

while is drying up and 35000 to 40000 cusecs are needed

for flashing the Hooghly to operate Calcutta port. The

official levels and ministerial level conferences held so

far have failed to yield an acceptable formula. India is sore

over Bangladesh's "no" to the proposal to augment the

water supply.

228. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS^^WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION,INDIAN VIEW POINT.

MITRA (Sumit). Bangladesh: Unquiet flows the Ganga, India

Today 1981, Feb, 16; 96-97.

Attempts to explain the ^ndo-Bangladesh reflations today

are as muddy as the saffron swerts in the two countries river

of contention, the Ganga. Rao Birendra Siiigh The Indian

irrigation minister is scheduled fly to Deicca to carry

out a cabinet review of 1977 agreement between the two

countries on sharing of Ganga water down stream of Farakka

 225

barrage, 250 miles north of Calcutta, Last month, in a

fiercebout of plain speaking men while his Bangladesh

counterpart, Kazi Anwarul ^ q , was present in Delhi,

Singh asserted that "futile, openended" discussions between

the two countries on the farakka water issue "must corne to

an end"• Until something spectaaular happens to change

the very basis of Indo-Bangladesh relations, unquite will

flow the ganga between the two countries,

229. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION, INDIAN VIEW POINT.

RETHINKING ON farakka, j ^ i t a Bazar Patrika. 1980, Jan, 21; 6,

Paper discusses about the Union irrigation minister Mr,

A.B.A. Gani Khan told at Calcutta that the centre "has

doubts about the soundless of the agiraement for sharing of

Ganga waters at farakka between India and Bangladesh, A

position has been reached in which the farakka issue can no

longer be settled in ss. isolation, Bangladesh has been

steadly pushing its grand and it is unlikely to give up

any of the advantages which it has already secured.

But an appropriate occassion for fresh talks will arise

during the Bangladesh's president visit to new Delhi Mr,

Khan Chaudhry will have the benefit of the prime minister's

personal guidance in discussing fresh terms for distribution

of farakka waters.
 226

230. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, BANGEkJ FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION,INDIAN VIEW POINT.

SRIRAM(K), India's stand at JRC talks vende cated. Indian

Express. 1984, May, 12^1.

Gives description regarding the Bangladesh irrigation

minister's recent statement in Dacca that they would

unilaterally move to exploit the Brahamputra waters with in

his country fallowing the deadlock in the Indo Bangla talks

over the sharing of ganga waters at farakka has only

vindicated the stand consistently taken by India throughout

the joint river commission discussions Bangladesh's

threatend" proposal, when emplemented, would submerges

areas both upstream and down stream of the reservoirs.

But the implementation of the Indian proposal would have

submereged rdlatively much less area as both down stream

and upstream regions would have been in India.

231. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,INDIAN VIEW POINT.

WORRIED GENERAL. !^'imes of India. 1983, May, 26; 8.

Paper deal with the New Delhi is legitimately disturbed

over Lt. Gen, H.M, Ershad's reported coarment that his

country is not receiving its "rightful share" Ganga waters.

The emergence of sand bank Jat a number of spot in Hooghly

t

should be ample proof to demonstrate tha the river has not

 227

that the river has not received water from Farakka barrage
in exeess of Indian quota. The release of water through the
Farakka feeder canal during Jan,-May seasons of 1983-84
is governed by the Indo-Bangladesh memorandum of signed
in last year. India had agreed to study Bangladesh's proposal
of building storage reservoirs in the Himalayan foot hills
to augment the ganga's flow while Bangladesh had agreed
to stmdy India's proposal of Ganga-Brahartpiitra link canal.
^%thod of mobilising popular opinion in Bangladesh has been
to raise the bogy of Indian big brotherliness and the sporadic
cries over farakka,

232, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD.

BHAGAT ( Bankim Behari) , Ganga waters Disp\ite, Hindustan Times

1982, Siun, 24,

The author says that the Ganga water dispute relates to the
sharing of the Ganga waters between India and Bangladesh
near farakka during the lean period. During this period
the flow of the Ganga water is very low. However from two
point of view India has a higher stake and a better case,
tn case the on going ministerial level talks fail, talks
may be held at the highest political level before the automatic
expiry of the agreement on November, 1982,
 228

233. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS.WATER DISPUTE, GANGA FARiiKKA

BARRAGB, WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD.

BIG VIEW Of little farakka. Hindustan Times, 1975, Feb,

24; 9.

The article deals with that the Bangladesh minister of flood

control and water development, Mr, Abdur Rab visit new Delhi,

the Indo-Bangladesh discussions on sharing the Ganga water

flow in dry season enter a new stage. The latest level

of talks will be at the political level with engineers and

exports from both sides Both Bangladesh and India have an

obvious need for and a claim on ganga waters. Many techno-

economic solutions can only be implemented with mutual

cooperation. And cooperation in turn is only possible

on the basis of political good will and understanding. In

approaching the ensuing political talks on the distribution

of the waters of the eastern rivers, the Indian and Bangladesh

delegations should rise above and reach out for beyond

farakka.

234. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD.

CLOSER RELATIONS WITH Bangladesh. Commerce, 1977, Dec, 24;

1195-96.

Paper discusses about the visit of Bangladesh president

Mr. Zia-ur Rahman to New Delhi though brief, has not

 229

only strengthened the goodwill between the two countries

but also paved the way for increased co-^operation between
them for their mutual benefit. The atmosphere for useful
takks between B K T Mr. Zia ur Rahman and I'^r, Desai was no
doubt created by the faralcka agreement signed two months ago.
The two countries have various proposal before them
for augmenting the Ganga waters. The off discussed proposal
is the linking of the Ganga with Brahamputra which, of course,
involves a stupendous outlay. The problem of minorities
in Bangladesh was another matter discussed by Desai and
Mr, Zia, India is concerned over the influx of re^gees
from that country. The farakka agreement between India and
Bangladesh has been criticised by a section of public
opinion in India as a sell out by India to Bangladesh.

235. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS^ WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

DELAYED COMMISSIONING OF farakka. Hindu, 1975, Jan, 13;6.

The article deals with that the 5th of Indo-Banglad joint

river commission, seeking a may out of the farakka barrage
deadlock, held in New Delhi has ended with nothing more to
report than an exchange of ideas and an agreement to meet
again. The farakka is ready for commissioning and aims to
divert some 40000 cusecs down the Bhagirathi, as its near
Calcutta in order to keep the major port from getting
silted and keep it functioning, S.t least two proposal are
 230

before the commission to augment in supplies in Ganga

during summer. The ^ndian proposal is to link a canal from

Braharaputra to ganga. But Dacca is said to prefer a storage

of the flood season waters in Ganga system itself in ^epal

for release during the lean period.

236. INDO-BAI^GLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

DESAI'S VISIT, Economic Times. 1979, April, 20;5.

Paper describes the Indo-Bangladesh joint, coitiminique issued

at the conclusion of Mr. Morarji Desai's visit to Dacca

expresses' the two governments resolve to asrive at an early

solution of long standing disputes between the two countries.

Bangladesh has still not got over its reservations against

the Indian proposal for a Ganga-Brahamputra canal link.

All the technical data needed for sharing of the waters

of the Ganga has long been available, Bangladesh is still

keen to internationalise the issue by bringing ^^epal into

the negotiations. The most promising aspect of Indo-Bangladesh

relations is the proppect of closer economic colloboration.

It must be recognised that the visit of the Indian prime

minister is the first international recognition of president

Zia-ur Rahman's efforts to legetimise his concept of

democracy in Bangladesh.
 231

237. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIOHS, WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE WATER DISTHRBUTION, LEAN PERIOD.

GANGA TEST. Hindu. 1980,Aug, 2276.

The article deals with that one gain from the talks that

^'V. P.V. Narasirriha Rao recently had with Biis counterpart

in Bangladesh is that further talks are to be hold on a

variety of problems. But it would be in order to exclude

any high degree of optimism over a quick resolution of

issues which have led to emotKional outbursts caused by

lack of faith on both sides. The harshest irritant is the

dispute over sharing water from the Ganga after the building

of the Farakka barrage. When Zia-ur-Rahman and ^^rs. Gandhi

meet in i^ew Delhi; she should bring have to the Bangladesh

leader the point that the Ganga water and other problems can

be overcome only through a partnership approach. The test

over the Ganga waters is a matter for statemanship and not

just the statestics about how many cusecs for either party,

238. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE WATER DISTRIBUTION. LEAN PERIOD.

GENEROUS GESTURE. Hindu. 1976, ^ r , 30; 6.

The article deals with that Bangladesh would be acting in

its own enlightend self interest if it responds constiructivity

to the unilateral good will gesture of the Indian Government

on farakka, India has opted to sacrifice the only purpose

for which this Rs.l55 crore barrage has been constructed, to

save the Calcutta port from decay. This gesture should

 232

convince ^acca that India is anxious to reassure a neighbour

however, ill founded its expressed misgivening might be,
and strech more than a point to promote an a micable settlement
of this and other pending issues. One only can hope that the
new leaders of Bangladesh would grasp the extended hand and
resume the negotiations.

239. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA MAXSR

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,BEAN PERIOD.

INTERIM FARAKKA accord. Hindu. 1975, Ap, 20;9.

Highlights the parted accord reached by India and Bangladesh

constitutes a welcome break through in the dispute over the
flow of Ganga waters into Hooghly from frakka barrage. It
generates hope for the ultimate disposal of the pete of
political and technical constrovesies on this issue that have
accumulated over the past 15 years the agreement provides
for the release of 11000 cusecs of water daily into the
Bhagirathi from today.» The discharge will we progressively
increased to 16,000 cusecs in the last ten days of may.
The interim accords is an indication of the desire of the
leaders of the two countries to try to resolve a highly
sensitive bilateral problem in sprit of give and take.
 233

240. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FRRAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER,DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD.'

MISGIVINGS OVER Farakka Capital, 1983, July, 26; 1182.

Gives an account of the implications of the agreement in

Hew Delhi with a Banglddesh delegation that the farakka barrage
will not be operated untill the share in Ganga waters of the
two countries has been politicaliy settled should be char
by now. This is a departure from the original agreement between
the two countries embodied in their treaty of friendship,
which although having the share of water to be determined
politically, set no time limit for the purp'Ose and certainly
did'nt link it with farakka, relying instead of goodwill and
the overall development of the eastern rivers, for which a
joint commission river was immediately constituted. The
• public agitation over how the- farakka barrage is to be
operated, besides being mindless of the fact that the
Bangladesh authorities were likely to be as prove to
political pressures as the Indian, seems particularly pointless,

241, INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

MONTU (Kazi)-Baagladesh7 Farakka dAsptkte. Economic and

Political Weekly. 1980, Jy,5;1132^33.

Gives dsecription regarding the difference over the issues

of sharing Ganges waters appear to have further sharpened
-» since the signing of five you Ganges waters sharing agreement
on November 5, 1977, Under the agreement Bangladesh has been
 234

allocated 34000 cusecs as against 40,000 cusecs recieved

under the previous ^ndira - Mujib agreement signed on April
1975. As decided at the fourteenth meeting of the Indo-
Bangladesh J R C held in Dacca from Jan 20 to 24, 1978 the
two countries exchanged their respective proposals in ^acca
in march, 1978 suggesting the formula for the resolution
of the Farakka dispute,

242. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GANGA FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

MUDDIED WATERS. Economic and Political Weekly. 1974, Sep,

14; 1553-54.

Paper highlights the ^ndo-Bangladesh joint rivers commission

keeps meeting and adjoining, but the Farakka issue is
no nearer solution. The last time Ihe priire Ministers of
two countries discussed the issue was in May in New Delhi.
The two Prime ministers look note of the fact that the
Farakka Barrage project would be commissioned before the
end of 1974, They recognised that during the period of
maximum flow in the Ganga, there might not be enough
water to meet the needs of Calcutta port and the full
requirements of the two countries. It was accordingly
decided that the best Ganga in the lean months would have
to be augmented meet the requirements of the countries. It
was accordingly decided that the best means of such
augmentation through optimum utilization of the two
countries should be studied by the joint river commission.
 '}
2^

243. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS WATER DISPUTE, GANGA,WATER

DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

MUKERJEE (Hiren). Ganga: I n d i a ' s r i v e r . Democratic World.

1977. Hay, 29; 8-9.

The author says t h a t the w o r d ' r i v a l ' may or may not have
come from ' r i v e r ' . The author, a long time front bencher
of the Indian parliament u n t i l r e c e n t l y reasons t h e r e i s
no cause for quassel over the Ganga between India and
Bangladesh-if they knew t h e i r geography, h i s t o r y and economic
i n t e r e s t . The Ganga, e s p e c i a l l y i s the r i v e r of India,
beloved of her people, around which are interwined her
s o c i a l memories, her hopes and d e f e a t s . She has been a
symbol of I n d i a ' s age-long c u l t u r e and c i v i l i s a t i o n , ever
changing, and ever flowing and yet ever the same Ganga, The
Ganga t h a t flows from the Himalyas t o the s e a . , i s an
i n t i r e l y Indian r i v e r , i t s t o t a l s t r e t c h comprised within
the boundaries of the Indian.

244. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA,BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

NEW TONE i n D a c c a . Economic T j m e s . 1 9 8 1 , S e p , 18;5.

The a r t i c l e d e a l s w i t h t h a t n e i t h e r New D e l h i n o r Dacca

would have e x p e c t e d any s p e c t a c u l a r r e s u l t s from t h e

B a n g l a d e s h f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r ' s^ t a l k s w i t h N a r s i m h a R a o . Even

s o , t h e m e e t i n g h a s s e r v e d t h e l i m i t e d p u r p o s e of clearing
 236

the atmosphere which had been clouded with suspicion and

misunderstanding in the wake of the unwari'anted despatch
of gunboats by Bangladesh Government to India' New Moore
island. The joint river waters commission has failed
to suggest any alternatives for improving the lean season
flow and the ministerial review of April this year has
not hade much headway either any quqlitative improvement
in the temper of bilateral relations will be of mutual
advantage.

245. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

NO PROGRESS. Amrita Bazar Patrika. 1978, Dec, 2776.

Paper discusses about the only results of latest talks

on the Ganga waters bet;veen the governments of India and
Bangladesh held recently in Dacca is the extension for one
year of the agreement reached between the two countries
in November 1977. The sharing of farakka would continue
according to the agreement for five months till May 31,
as was done last year. It is obvious that neither Delhi
nor Dacca really wanted a prable in to the arrangraent agreed
upon last year. Both sides lad already decided that
nothing except a formal extension of the staticsquo was
required.
 237
'}'•.

246. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS^WATSR DISPUTE, GRNGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

NOT BY Farakka barrage only. Hindu 1981, Jan, 16; 8.

The article deals with that it will be too much to expect

that Indian and ^ngladesh teams, v^en they meet K next

month in Dacca, will be able to show any Xind of progress

in the negotiations to overcome the statemate on the issue

of sharing of the waters of Ganga, For the record of the

last few rounds of bilateral talks on the operation of the

Rs.lBO crore Farakka barrage has been dismal. The basic

technical presumptions on both sides have been kept so far

apart that discussions between the two countries sum futile,

247, INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER,DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

POLITICAL PROBLEM, Amrita Bazar ^atrika, 1980, Sep, 4.

The article deals with that in the New Delhi meeting of

the Indo-Bangladesh joint river commission no agreement

has been reached at this level on augmenting dry season

flow of Ganga, No concrete progress was made towards agree-

ment during Mr, Rao's visit. But the joint statement issued

that there hadbeen a better understanding of each others

position as a result of the talks. But at the t^Jew Delhi"

meeting also the delegates of Bangaladesh only raiterated

what they had insisted upon in past meeting of the

commission.
 238

248. INDO-BANGLADESH REALTIONS^WATER DISPUTE^GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

RAIS (Asutosh) Delhi-Dacca Flowed Friendship. Democratic

World. 1976, ^p, 4;5-6,

The author says that it was inevitable that the post libration

enphasia in Indo-Bangladesh relations should some day die

down. But what is coming in its place ? The latest develop-

ments vis-a-vis the farakka barrage are v^at Newsman

would call a developing story" Notes continue to be exchanged,

and India,is waiting for Bangladesh's response to its

unileteral decision to draw less water from Ganga during the

current dry season.

249. INDO-BANGLABESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA^FARAKKA HAKBAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD.

SOME OPTIMISM.Hindu. 1982, Jul. 2,

Paper highlights the Farakka and the question of sharing

the ganga waters have in the part given rise to emotional

outburst on both sides of the eastern boarder. The Bangladesh

leader not only had discussion with this counterpart in

India; he also had a talk with the Prime minister after

which he emphasised that a solution would depend on the

political will of the two governments. The farakka barrage

has itself only a KI±H limited rate. The normal lean season

flow in ganga is not enough to solve the problem of Calcutta

or meet the insuteable thirst of Bangladesh.

 239

250, INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE,GANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD,

STILL IN low water. Statesman, 1981, April, 7;7.

The article deals with that it would be frutile to pretend

thht the recent Indo-Bangladeshi agreement on the Ganga

waters bring solution with hin sight, though the decision

to resolve differences at a high political level "certainly

indicates bilated recognition of the nature of the basic

problem. Expert's views on how lean season flows can best

be augmented or an alternative proposal-India being a

favour of a link canal with the Brahamputra while Bangladesh

suggests upper sipasian dams in Nepal-have always been

subordinate to political compulsions,

251. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE

WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD,

UNTENABLE PROPOSALS, Amrita Bazar ^atrika, 1978, Sep, 15;6,

Paper discribes the New Delhi rejection of the Bangladesh

proposal to include Nepal in the study of the scheme Kifor

augmentation of the flow of the ganga in the lean period

is fully in accord with the farakka agreement signed by the

two countries in Dacca on November, 5, last year. The

farakka problem is therefore an entirely bilateral issue;

it should be studied and solved by the technical and

political representatives of India and Bangladesh, The

construction of the storage reservoirs is Nepal is a

purily hypothetical suggestion for augmentation of Ganga

waters.
 240

252. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS WATER DISPUTE, GANGA, FARAKKA,

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD,

WATERS OF discord. National Hgralfl. 1981, Jan, 127 4.

Describes the second round of the talks to review the

marking of 1977 agrument or Ganga waters has been incenclusive.

The talks will now be resumed and it is hoped that Bangladesh

will consider Indian proposals on a realistic and scientific

basis. Under 1977 past Indian had agreed to a substantially-

reduced flow of waters into the Hooghly during the lean

period and there was a distinct possibility of Calcutta port

being rendered inoperative due to selting, ^t is unfortunate

that political considerations rather than practical economic

factors should came in the way of arriving at an amicable

solution to the problem.

253. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD.

WHAT BANGLADESH OUGHT to be told in clear terms. Hindu,

1980, Mar, 3;6.

The article deals with that in interim accord reached in

October 1977 with Bangladesh on the sharing of ganga waters

at farakka the Government of India leaned over backwards and

madea temporary sacrifice of some vital interests by

agreeing to divert to the Bhagarathi less water than what

Indian expets had deemed to be the minmum (Quantities essential

during the lean period Bangladesh has also tried to enlarge

the issue by raising objections to the construction of a

 241

barrage accross the teesta to the benefit of wdst Bengal,

t is a time that the government of India made it explicit

to the Bangladesh leaders that there is a iaimit to tolerating

irrational demands.

254. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS^ WATER DISPUTE, (3ANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD,BANGLA VIEW POINT.

BACK TO Square one? Financial express. 1976, Feb, 2 3;4.

The author article deal with that by insisting that "any

with drawl during my part of the year at Farakka or even

further opstream" should be subject to the prior approval

of the Bangladesh government, Dacca has diijectly tried to

widen the scope of its dispute with New Delhi on the sharing

of Ganga waters. The one significant virtue of the accord

reached last year was that for the first time both the

countries agreed to divert the farakka issue of its

political understones and view it as a purely technical

problem and taking it accordingly. When Dacca agreed with

New Delhi to judge the merits and demerits of the claims

of both the parties on the basis of emparical data. It

was genuinty thought that a final and long term solution

was round the corner.

 242

255. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, GKNGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEAN PERIOD, BANGLA VIEW POINT.

FARAKKA. The apple of discord. Capital, 176; 4402. 1976, Feb,

26, 276-77.

Paper studies the India's bigness sometimes market embrassxng

for her to deal with issues to resolve problems with neighbours,
The P.M. of India and Bangladesh had apprently agreed that
the farakka issue should be approached with understanding
so that the interests of both countries could be reconciled
and the difficulties removed in a sprit of friendhsip and
co-operation. The government of India has shown great
patience on farakka issue. It had agreed to give Bangladesh
whatever was reasonable. It is unfortunate that Bangladesh
has not reciprocated India's gesture. Dacca's precondition
that talks on the sharing of Ganga waters could be held
only if India stopped using the ^arakka feeder canal
has been found "unacceptable" by New Delhi.

256. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPUTE,GANGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE WATER,DISTRIBUTION LEAN PERIOD, BANGLA VIEW POINT.

PANDIT (CS), India gets tough on farakka waters. Amrita

Bazar fetrita. 1980, May, 1;1.

The author says that when the India-Bangladesh agreement on

the sharing of the Ganga waters man signed in 1977. It was
 243

stated that the real lean season was i fact confined to a

were fortnight during which the flow for either wculd not

godown below 20000 cusecs. But last season's wide spread

drought has changed the situation qualitatively. The flow

in Ganga this season has gave down far below expectations

and the lean season has started much earlier than anticipated

at the time of signing of the agreement. I4ean while if

Bangladesh insist on its own scheme India will be forced

to seek a drastic revision of the 1977 agreeaent/ which in

any case, as M^g, Gandhi has said, has not been an India's

interests.

257. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE, WATER DISTRIBUTION, LEUN PERIOD, INDIAN VIEW POINT.

FARJUQCA DISPUTE. Link. 1976, Ap, 4; 18-19.

Paper hi^lights the India has now gone as for as a friendly

coTintry can go to settle the ganga water dispute with Bangla

dbsh, India has suggested the setting up of a joint tham of

experts to study and evaluate the Bangladesh complaints

over the Farakka withdralws. The government of India has

stated that the adverse effects of the Utilisation of Ganga

waters by India during the lean season on Bangladesh can

best be studied and evaluated by a compitent body a experts

under proper conditio s and for the requisite period.

 9 44

258. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE, Gi^NGA, FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD,INDIAN VIEW POINT.

GANGULY (AK). Ganga Dispute. Financial express. 1980, Dec.

12; 7.

Attempts to explain the Indo Bangladesh relations over the

in tractable problem of sharing the Ganga waters have

antered into rough weather. Before the enterim agreement

was signed in N Q V . 1977. ^he talks on the sharing of Ganga

waters had virtually defied a semplistic solution India did

suggest at the meeting of the joint river commission

in New dekhi this year that since the commission had

virtually been unable to graple with the substanture issues

in augmenting the flow of Ganga waters, the matter should

be referred to the two governments at the ministerial level.

259. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA

BARRAGE,WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN BERIOD,INDIAN VIEW POINT.

GANGA WATERS Again. Tribune 1980, May, 1;6.

The article deals with that when for some in explicable

reasons, Mr. Jagjiwan Ram as India's plenipotentiary

concluded the Ganga waters agreement of west Bengal, than

a close ally of the Janata Government at the centre, was

surprised at the quantum of lean reason Ganga water

concided to Bangladesh. The 1977 agreement to due to be

 revined at the end of three year period in November. India

clearly will want a modification of the interim basis

on which the river waters was not 61ear after the Delhi

meeting of the joint River commission,

260. INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIOES,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD, INDIAN VIEW POINT.

INDERJIT. Farakka project. Facts and fiction.Indian and foreign

review. 1976, Mar, 15; 23-24.

Gives description regarding the India's firm and principted

stand vis-a-vis Dacca on the question of utilisation of the

Ga-nga waters during the lean months mid-March mid-May- at

farakka has happily yieldeds some result. Dacca's stand on

farakka is unfortunately symbolic of its present mood and

approach to the larger question of relations with ^ndia.

New Delhi never questioned ^acca's right to get a share of

the waters of the Ganga. The prime ministers of India and

Bangladesh, Acknowledged in their joint declaration of 16

May 1974 that the fair weather flow of the Ganga in lean

months would have to be augmented meet the requirements

of the two couuntries". It has also conveyed to Dacca its

will engness to study all proposals and select the

best possible on the basis of the te hno-economic studies.

 246

261. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE

WATER DISTRIBUTION jLEAN PERIOD, INDI&N. VIEW POINT.

MUNSI (Sunil). Indo-Bangladesh and Share of Ganga water.

Main Stream^ 16;1.6(Annual No)1977;49-52.

The author says that in June 1977 India's P.M. Morarji Desai

met Bangladesh president Zia-ur Rahman in London during

the commonwealth and disucssed the question that India had

renewed its offer of building a canal linking the Brahamputra

and the Ganga to sell leth the dispute over the sharing of

water with Bangladesh. On the other hand, on July 26,it was

alleged in Rajya Sabha that the proposed meeting at Dacca

appeared to be solely for the endorsement of an agreement

according to which India would be content with only half of

40,000 cusecs of water from farakfea needed to save the Calcutta

port, and that India would restrict her use of ganga

water to 10% till the plan to augit^nt the ganga flow was

accepted. It is now generally known th~t the Government of

India had agreed to release 20 thousands cusecs of additional

water to Bangaiadesh durinc the lean month by cutting

down a the supply of an equal quantity to the Hooghly

Bhagirathi system.

262. ir^DO BANGLADESH RELATIONS, WATER DISPWTE, GANGA, FARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,LEAN PERIOD,INDIAN VIEW POINT.

PR0BLEt4S ON Farakka. Link 19 76, My, 2; 22-23.

The article deals v/ith that India has been trying to get

Bangladesh to accept joint investigation into the effects

of the withdrawl of water into the feeder canal at Farakka

 247

on irrigation, salinity, navigation etc., in Bangladesh.

The problem is of the plan season flow which is estimated

to be approximately 55000 cusecs at the barrage. The Indian

team led by the secretary C.C.Patel of irrigation Department

in expected to take the apportunity of the visit to Dacca to

get agreement on a joint inspection of the alleged ill effects.

263. INDO BANGALDESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,PARAKKA BARRAGE,

WATER DISTRIBUTION,MINISTERIAL LEVE TALKS.

TALKS ON GANGA Waters by month end. Patriot. 1982, Aug, 15.

Paper describes the ministerial level review meeting of the

Indo-Bangladesh agreement on sharing of Ganga waters at

Farakka and augmenting its flow will be held in Dacca of this

month. This was announced by Union irrigation minister Kedar

Pandey. In response to a member's quiry on the working of the

agreement the minister said the agreement signed in November

1977 would expire on 4, November this year unless it was

extended further for a specific period by mutual agreement.

264. INDO BANGLADESH RELATIONS,WATER DISPUTE,GANGA,FARAKKA BARRAGE,

V7ATER DISTRIBUTION, SHORT AND LONG TERM SOLUTION, INDIAN NEW

POINT.

HOPES AND Fear over Farakka. Capital, 177;4442. 1976, Dec,9;

812-13.

The article deals with that the Miisterial level talks

between IndiaK and Bangladesh on sharing of Ganga waters

 248

have been adjourned after three days talks spread over.

Six sessions. The delegations, meeting in Dacca had concluded

their first round of negotiations and Mr. Jagjiwan Ram

India Minister for Agriculture and irrigation, declared that

the talks were free and Frank, he also expressed his

confidence that, given the will from both sides, it should

be possible to the short term and long term problems relating

to the farakka issue. Last year's agreement on farakka had

raised hopes about a solution to this problem. The annual

report of India's ministry of External Affairs for 1975-76.

Said;" A major break through was achieved as farakka for

Agriculture and irrigation and Bangladesh minister for flood

control, water resources and power in Dacca from 16th to

18th April. With a view to returning the Feeder canal of

the Farakka barrage during the 1975 lean period, it was agreed

by both sides, India would withdraw between 11,000 cusecs

and 16000 cusecs of water.

PART T H R E E
Indexes
 249
INDEXES

AUTHOR TITLE INDEX

•Absolute Understanding 13 5

A c c o r d w i t h Dacca 18

ADHIKARI (Gautam) 139

Aid t o B a n g l a d e s h 68

AKBAR(M.J.) 93

Analyst 143

Anti Indian Trade 94

A r r a n t Ntfasense 144

Back t o S q u a r e o n e 254

Balasubaranianian (V) 45

Bangladesh 129

Bangladesh;- I n d i a Accord 59

B e g i n i n g o f R i e New C h a p t e r o f T r u t h 51

B e t t e r Business with Bangla 74

BHAGAT (Bankim B e h o r d ) 23 2

BHAl'JDARI (Anand) 96

BHASIN (Prem) 97,159

BHATIA (Vs) 60

BHATTACHARJEA( A j i t ) 98

3HAUMIK ( K i r i t ) 72,99,163

Big Step Forward 8

Big View o f l i t t l e Farakka 233

Border Dispute 24

Border Misunderstanding 20
Breaking the Vicious c i r c l e 100 250

Brockway ( F e n n e r ) 14 5

B u c k l i n g Down t f o i t 50

C a u t i o n i n t h e way 34

CHAKRAVARTK SUbhash)

CHAKRAVORTY ( B a n o j Kumar) 101

C h a l l e n g e of A s e t e l l i t e 103

CHAUDHURY( P . C . R o y ) 157

CHOPRA ( P r a n ) 104,158

CHOUDHRY( An>itabh) a n d SARKAR( C h a n c h a l ) 125

C l o s e r aconomic T i e s with B a n g l a d e s h . 75

Closer R e l a t i o n s with Bangladesh 234

Closer Ties 54

Concord w i t h Dacca 87

Co-operation in water 223

C o - o p e r a t i v e Frame work . 136

D a c c a ' s sfeand 225

Danger S i n g a l 13©

DATTA-RAY(Sunanda K) 29,164

Dead Lock i n Dacca 203

D e l a y e d Commissioning of F a r a k k a 235

Desai's Visit .236

DUA(HK) 13

End o f A D i s p u t e 165

Endurin P a r t n e r s h i p 61

Enougiitf Enough 213

EnVoy H a r a s s e d 131
 251
E r s h a d ' Phoney Cirisis 2

Ershad's Objections .3

E s c a p e From T e r r o r 146

Expanding the I n d o - 3 a n g l a d e s h Trade 76

ParBkka 255

Farakka i^ispute 257

Farakka i s s u e Again 214

Parakka Talks 222

Parakka Waters 166

Farewell and H a i l 58

PAROOQUa(Asad) 105

PiringOn t h e Border 25

For Oipeaceful B o r d e r 14 7

Foreign Policy 106

Friendly Waters 62
P u s s and N o i s e 4

F u t i l e Ekxercise 35

GANDHI( Rajmahan) 148

Ganga T e s t 237

Ganga W a t e r s 168,169

Ganga W a t e r s A c c o r d 215

GANGULY (AK) 258

GAUR (VP) 140

GEHLOT (NS) 259

GENEROSITY UN R.kWARDED 108

Generous Gesture 238

G e s t u r e on F a r a k k a 170

GHOSH i DS) 12
 252
GHOSH ( M a n i s h ) 171

GHOSH (PB) 84

GriOSH (3) 37

GHOSH ( S a n k a r ) 109

GoodlNeigh B o u r l i n e s s 38

Gun B o a t D i p l o m a c y 39

GUPTA (ShekhaA) 26,148

HAPPY OUT COME, 110

Happy T u r n i n g 36

HARI HARAN(A) 111,150

Hasan S h a h r i a r 173,17 2

H e a r t e n i n g Advance 89

H i s t o r i c Reunion 112

H o p e s and P e a r o v e r F a r a k k a 264

Importance of Bangladesh 134

I n c h i n g Biong t h e Ganga 174

Inderjit 40,175,204,260

I n d i a and B a n g l a d e s h 41,53,113,176

India-laiting 43,114

India-Bangladesh Relations 42,161

I n d i a Has w a i t e d t o o l o n g 226

Indo-Bangla Cooperation 88

Indo-Banglesh Declaration 115

I n d o - B a n g l e s h .' :: Diji^ogue 156

Indo-Bangladesh Relations 116,137

Indo-Banglcidesh River T r a n s p o r t 81

I n d o - B a n g l a d e s h T a l k s on S h a r i n g o f T::he
Ganga Water 177
 253
Indo-Bangla Talks 160

Indo-Bangladesh Ties 31

I n d o - B a r i y l a d e s h J-'rade 70,71

I n t e r i m e PaccJcka A c c o r d 239

I n t r a n S l g n e n c e on Ganga W a t e r s 22

Investing in Friendship 56

I r r i t a n t Removed 57

Irritants. 21

I s l a n d in the sun 44

I s s u e s a t D e l h i O a c c a Summit 14

J a r r i n g Notes 13 2

J o i n t I n d i a , ' B ' d e s h R|«ir P l a n Urgea 224

J o i n t R i v e r s Commission 205

J03HI ( Naven C h a n d r a ) 63

KHATIB (Ali) 117

KIRISm-JAI^J MOORTHY^K ) 1,118,162

KULDIP ( G) 151

LIMAYE ( Madhu ) 119

MAnANTl(PC) 141

Major Advance 85

MALriOTRA ( I n d i a ) 85,91,178,179

M a r i t i m e T a l k s o a t Sea 32

M a t t e r of F e i v c i n g 9

Menon(NC) 45

MIRCHAJS^DANI ( GG) 180

Misgivingsover Farakka 240

 254

MlSSJk (KP) 219

MITRA (Sumit) 46,228

MONTO (Kazi) 241

MOOKE RJEA (Debe s ) 181

Morarji Desai in Bangladesh 120

I^ddied Waters 242

MUKHERJEE (Aprotem) 152

MUKHERJEE (Deliip) 121

r4UKERJEE (HiAien) 243

MOKHOPODHYAY (Asim) 216

MUNSHI (Sunil) 200, 261

BAYYAR -(Kviidep)- :" ; 227

Heed Toi^econsider 15

Neighbours 122

Neighbours and Friends 206

NEW ALKAR (GB) 123

New Phase 64

New Tone i n Dacca 244

No J i g r e e m e n t on ^ a r a k k a 207

No l o n g e r Bilateral 182

No p r o g r e s s 245

No Reason to Fatter 208

Not a technical lapse 28

Not by ^arakka Barrage only 246

Obdftracy on ^arakka 260

Omenous Dortents 153

Pandit (CS) 256

 J55
p e a c e a n d iwnity 138

petulant Gesture 47

PHABNIS (Uraashankar) 183

P o l i t i c a l problem 247

Politics i n Water 184

P o l i t i c s of Farakka 185

P o l i t i c s of "'ater 186

Pos^iuive p r o g r e s s 187

p r e s s u r e does not pay 201

p r o D l e m s on P a r a k k a 262

Promising Dialogue 49

P r o s p e c t s of Indo-Bangla I'rade 77

p r o v o c a t i o n From D a c c a 10

Q u e s t t o n a a i e Means 30

Hamesh ( J a i s a m ) 73

RAIS (As^jbosh) 248

REAL ISSUE 209

RE&OY(GK) 157,210

Redeeming a p l e d g e 52

Relation with Bangladesh 128

R e t h i n k i n g on F a r a k k a 229

Roy(LB) 188

Roychoudhary(p) 189

SA3HERvJAL(0P) 55

SARKAR (CMaachal) and CHO;VDHURY(Amitabh) 125

Sealing t h e Border 11
 256
SEN(D) 190

SENGUPTA( J y o t i ) 69

S e n s e O v e r New Moore 48

S h a r i n g Ganga W a t e r s 202,211

Shocking Contours 14 2

Sideshow i n Dacca 19

S i t t i n g on t h e Fe'tiCe 19 2

Small Step forward 15

Some o p t i m i s m 24 9

S r i r a m (K) 230

Staleraatfe c o n t i n u e s 193

Still i n l e w water 250

S t o n e w a l l i n g on g a n o a 194

S t r a t e g y for jllte 78

Strengthening Cooperation 65

Successful Summit 212

S u s p i c i o u s Makes t h e p r o b l e m i n T r a c t a b l e 217

T a l k with Dacca • 23

T a l k s on Ganga W a t e r by Months End 263

T a l k s on J u t e 79

T h i s m u s t n o t Happen 154

T i e s on t h e Mend 133

Ties with Bangladesh 90

Tin Bigha Leased o u t 3over;^nty R e s t with

India 17

Touchy iSIeighbour 125

Trade p a c t with Bangladesh 82

Trade with Banglaaesh 80

 257

Tribunals of Hope 155

Troubled water ahead 1^^

Un necessary Tension 6
Untenable proposals 257
Useful talks 7
Useful Understanding 27
VERMA (PC) 66,83,86
Virtual washout 220
Viswam(S) 67
Waiting f o r Farakka 196

Warning i n Border T a l k s 19

W a t e r s of D i s c o r d 252

WATSON (Adam) 92

We share their Rejoicing 126

What Bangladesh ought to be told in
clear Terms 253
Wider Frame work 218
Wider perspective 197
Will to settle 33
Wise Agreement 198
Worried General 231
Year after the War 127
Yet another out burst 221
Ziaur optimistic of Farakka Solution 199