Department of State

 

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SECSTATE WASHDC 3907

INFO AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI

AMCONSUL CALCUTTA

AMCONSUL KARACHI

AMCONSUL LAHORE

LIMITED OFFICIAL USE DACCA 2853

 

SUBJ : POLITICAL / MILITARY SITUATION IN RANGPUR AND DINAJPUR DISTRICTS­JULY 23/25

 

1. SUMMARY: Low level of military activity. Peace committees not too powerful. District administration functioning well in Rangpur, poorly in Dinajpur. Local officials being screened in Rangpur. Few refugees returning but probably no significant outflow either. Bengali Bishop strongly condemns US arms aid to Pakistan.

 

2. MILITARY: Incidents at low level except for areas close to Indian border including Sinajpur town and northeast portion of Rangpur district in vicinity of Kurigram, which reportedly in hands of insurgents. No bombings in towns, mining of roads or assassination of peace committee members. No evidence Mukti Bahini living with villagers. Military checkpoints going into and out of Bogra, Rangpur and Dinajpur towns and at all major bridges and ferries. Bogra appeared to have highest concentration of military personnel. In Rangpur military presence in town quite small. Dinajpur and checkpoints in Dinajpur district manned by Frontier Force regiment. According to Italian Catholic Fathers, Dinajpur staffed with one colonel (in command) and four majors. They believe army casualties light at moment although they said army has own hospital so their information based on hearsay.

 

3. POLITICAL: Rangpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) stated that peace committees in his district not very influential and subject to control of civil administration. Role has changed from period during April/May when situation was more unsettled allowing peace committees more power. They make recommendations concerning distribution of abandoned property and compensation to those whose property was destroyed. Both are reviewed by civil administration before implementation. Peace committees not on committee interviewing returnees from India. They have no political function.

 

According to Rangpur DC army has released three local MNAs who were being held. FYI. These three already among nine previously reported as disassociating themselves from Awami League. End FYI. He does not expect them to become active politically. Matiur Rahman, MNA elect from Rangpur and formerly President of Dacca Chamber of Commerce and Industry is in India.

 

District administration is engaged in intensive review of Basic Democrats at order of provincial government. Those considered undesirable will be replaced by appointees, probably sometime in September. DC Rangpur commented that sorting out difficult as definition of miscreant changes from time to time.

 

4. CIVIL ADMINISTRATION: In Rangpur District civil administration in place and functioning down to thana level. In Dinajpur entire district administration defected and went to India before army arrival. To date only district Family Planning officer has returned to post.

 

5. REFUGEES: Rangpur reception camp has received thirteen returnees from India so far. Dinajpur's four camps have recorded 10,000. Catholic Fathers in Dinajpur believe few, if any, Bengalis are leaving that district for India now.

 

6. COMMENTS: (a) Contrast between Rangpur District and Dinajpur District could scarcely be greater. General appearance of normality in countryside in Rangpur District although town only 20-25 percent as populated as before disturbances. In Dinajpur District both town and countryside still appear almost entirely deserted. DC and other administrative officers very impressive in Rangpur. DC clearly pro-Bengali which he gets across subtly but clearly. Dinajpur officials second rate. Possible that MLA decided to write off district and consequently appointed mediocre officials after mass defection of predecessors to India. (b) Catholic Bishop Rosario (Bengali) whose diocese includes these districts vigorously criticized US arms aid to Pakistan. He claimed Bengalis, even simple villagers bewildered by willingness of USG to support Pak army at same time it provides assistance to Bengali refugees. He also contended that peasants will support resistance movement although Mukti Bahine not active except for border areas so real test yet to come. (c) Army behavior toward population in area has apparently improved although much depends on attitude of local Commanders. Checkpoints are most irritating aspect of army presence for local people. FYI. After passing through several on this field trip, Congen officer found most personnel in charge of checkpoints slow-witted and officious. This considerable contrast to experience in other parts of province. End FYI. Exempt.

 

CARLE