Delhi. Aug 15
An already tense situation on the eastern Indo-Pakistan border was exacerbated over the weekend when, according to Indian claims, Pakistani saboteurs destroyed two trains on the railway link between West Bengal and eastern India.

The trains were blown un in quick succession yesterday morning as they passed over mined culverts between the towns of Silchar and Karimganj, in the Cachar district of the Indian state of Assam, near the border of East Pakistan. The mines, laid by skilled saboteurs, were apparently detonated by automatic devices.

The first train, carrying food grains to East Bengal refugees in the eastern state of Tripura, was blown up as it passed over a culvert near Karimganj. A few hours later the other train, travelling to the scene of the derailment with doctors and nurses, was badly damaged by another set of mines. In all, eight people were injured.

Troops and policemen arc searching the area with dogs. Seven suspects from villages near by have been taken into custody.

Indian officials ruled out the possibility that local Maoists or dissident Indian political elements might have sabotaged the two trains. Military expert', pointed out that the trains were blown up near the East Pakistan border by highly trained experts. The Government is adamant that Pakistan agents were responsible for the two incidents.

If the Government's assessment is correct. It would appear that the Pakistanis have decided to retaliate against East Bengal guerrillas who are making forays into East Pakistan from Indian bases to sabotage military installations and strategic lines of communication in the ravaged province.

It is assumed that the two acts of sabotage were planned as a warning to the Indians that their only rail link to eastern India is vulnerable to sabotage. In any event, the incident has angered Indians of all political persuasions and Mrs Gandhi, the Prime Minister, will have to resist the ever growing demands for military retaliation.

If the Pakistanis are in fact responsible for the two acts of sabotage it would indicate that the guerrillas are now harassing the Pakistan Army effectively from their Indian bases and, as a result, an even more dangerous situation can be expected to develop.

However, there are indications that Mrs Gandhi is still adhering to a policy of restraint and she is determined to stand up to pressures that might force her Government into hasty action.

She made no reference to the sabotage incidents when she addressed a vast public rally in Delhi today marking the twenty-fourth anniversary of India's independence. In spite of the widespread and misconstrued belief that she would use the occasion to announce the recognition of the provisional government of Bangla Desh a step that would almost certainly lead to war—she did not do so.

Instead, her speech was a restrained one. She warned the Indian people that they would have Io bear the brunt of the huge economic burden of seven and a half million refugees from East Bengal and that this would retard the Government’s much promised plans for development.

In a reference to India's disappointment over the international community's attitude to the situation in East Bengal the Prime Minister said: “We sought assistance from abroad but ultimately we will have to stand on our own feet. We, the citizens of India, have to see that we defend not only our rights but also the rights of those who are not able to raise their voice. The challenge that confronts us today is unparalleled and probably has never been faced by any country in the world.”

Speaking of the vociferous demands for the recognition of Bangla Desh, she asked the nation to consider whether hollow slogans would help the people of East Bengal and India. “I can assure you that any step we may take will be guided by the consideration that wherever there may be a fight for freedom or wherever the downtrodden may fight for their rights India and its people will always come out in their support.”

Mrs Gandhi also reaffirmed her faith in democracy and chided her critics who are accusing her of dictatorial leanings.

Rawalpindi. Aug 15. Pakistan has protested to U Thant, the United Nations Secretary-General, about his remarks on the trial of Shaikh Mujibur Rahman, the East Pakistan leader.

But there was still no official word today of whether the trial had begun.

U Thant said in a press statement last Tuesday that he shared the feelings of many United Nations representatives that the fate of Shaikh Mujib was bound to have repercussions outside Pakistan. In its protest Note Pakistan said that U Thani's remarks had exceeded the bounds of humanitarian concern and competence of the United Nations.—Reuter.