1971-04-22
By Eric Pace
Page: 11
Asserts Border Post in East Is Fired Upon All Day
KARACHI, Pakistan, April 21 —The Pakistani Government said tonight that Indian troops had been firing from across the border at a Pakistani post all day, and it called on India to “stop immediately its unprovoked attack.
“Otherwise the responsibility for the consequences will lie with the Indian authorities,” the Pakistani radio said. It said the border post was near Hilli, which is six miles in from the border in the Rangpur District on East Pakistan's western border.
Since the East Pakistanis began a move for autonomy and later for independence from West Pakistan, beginning at the end of March, the Pakistanis have accused India of interfering in their internal affairs and of sending infiltrators across the border to aid the forces in the East. India has denied these charges.
No comment was immediately forthcoming from the Indian authorities on the latest charge.
The radio indicated that the firing was still going on at 8 P.M. Karachi time.
The Pakistani authorities in Dacca, meanwhile, ordered five men who were prominent in the East Pakistani secession movement to turn themselves in “to answer certain charges” that could bring the death penalty. Otherwise they are to be tried in absentia.
The best‐known of the five is Tajuddin Ahmed, secretary general of the secessionist Awami League, which has been banned. He has been named as premier of the India based secessionist government of Bangla Desh, or Bengal nation.
The league's chief, Sheik Mujibur Rahman, was not on the list. The Pakistani Government says he is under detention somewhere in West.