Background: Mr. M. Hossain Ali, Pakistan's former deputy High Commissioner to India, who renounced his position a few days ago, is now operating a self-styled 'Diplomatic Mission of Bangla Desh' in the Pakistan High Commission Building in Calcutta.

The "Sovereign Independent Republic of Bangla Desh (Bengali nation)", declared its formal independence in East Pakistan on the 17th April, and next day Mr. Hossain Ali hoisted the green and gold flag of the East Pakistan rebels at his Calcutta mission.

The Pakistan government has since appointed a new Deputy High Commissioner, and demanded that the Indian Government should remove Mr. Ali. On the 20th, however as this film shows, Mr. Ali was receiving visitors sympathetic to 'Bangla Desh' at the Pakistan High Commission Building.

For as long as it lasts, this situation will be acutely embarrassing to the Pakistan Government, and it will help the Indians to pursue their policy of giving moral support to the East Pakistan rebels.

SYNOPSIS: Mr. Hossain Ali, former Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner in Calcutta, was still operating a self-styled 'Diplomatic Mission of Bangla Desh' at the Pakistan High Commission Building in Calcutta on Tuesday. The new "Bangla Desh" republic of the East Pakistan rebels declared its formal independence last weekend.

Mr. Ali and his wife have received ardent support from crowds of Indians wishing "Bangla Desh" well, since he renounced his position as Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner last weekend, and the Pakistan Government has not been able to dislodge him from its mission by complaining to the Indian Government.

The Indians have so far given moral support to "Bangla Desh" and help to East Pakistan refugees.

Although Pakistan has appointed a new Deputy High Commissioner to India, Mr. Ali carries on here as a 'Bangla Desh' diplomatic representative, using his office in the Pakistan High Commission as usual.

He has claimed considerable support for his new allegiance from his staff, although 30 out of 80 are from West Pakistan. Arrangements were being made, said Mr. Ali, to send these 30 back to Islamabad.

He said there was no resistance by the West Pakistani nationals to the take-over of the High Commission.