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A PEOPLE IN LIMBO

For Stranded Pakistanis, the December Airlift Cannot Come Too Soon

by S. Bari and Sharier Khan
FOR twenty years, pockets of Bangladesh have remained forever Pakistan. The sound of Urdu fills the streets. Schoolchildren honour Quaid-c-Azam. A generation of Biharis has been born, and has reached majority, and has known only confinement in a camp.
Two hundred and thirtyeight thousand of them live scattered in camps all over the country, poised between two lands, unwanted, uncertain. Political promises have vanished into thin air, over and over again. Bangladesh has breathed a sigh of relief, Biharis have packed their belongings: but few have actually been flown "home." Last month, a new agreement was reached, and a wave of tentative hope is washing over the camp in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
Memories in the Camp
A cluttered alley leads into the squalid Geneva Camp, so called because of the Geneva convention regarding refugees. In his tiny office, consisting of a bed and a few chairs. Joint Secretary of the Stranded Pakistanis Repatriation Committee Abdul Jabbar receives visitors.
The Biharis' trauma began two generations ago. in the grip of the convulsions that sh x k the subcontinent apart. In August. 1947 the largest single human migration recorded in history uprooted families and redrew religious lines. From East Bengal, some one crore Hindus fled to into India, leaving the East bereft of much of its skilled and educated labour. Only half that number of Muslims left India to try their luck in the eastern wing of the new Islamic nation,
Among these arrivals, many of whom had left behind substantial holdings, were nearly half a million Biharis. They believe they were instrumental in building the new country. and had sacrificed in the name of Pakistan. "We were welcomed." insists Abdul Jabbar. East Pakistan needed technical skilled personnel, especially In the telephone, telegraph and the railroad services.
"My father had left 150 blghas of land In order to come and live in Pakistan," Jabbar recalls, obviously enjoying the trip down nostalgia lane But we were happy In Pakistan. We were we 11 -res pec ted. many of us had land In Dhaka and good Jobs. To a certain extent, we lived In harmony with Bengalis We were devoted to Pakistan."
Throughout the period from 1947 to 1971, Biharis tended to Intermarry and live among themselves In colonies In Mohammadpur and Mlrpur Jabbar argues that this Is true of most ethnic minorities.
Bengalis Begin to Rebel
The Biharis view the gradually growing anti-Paklstan sentiment of the Fifties as Inevitable, given the treatment of Bengalis by the
administration Jabbar is non hypocritical about his blind love for Pakistan, but admits equally wholeheartedly. "Bengalis were right to demand their language In 52" For his part. "1 do not believe that any one language is the language of Islam Any Muslim has the right to fight for his mother tongue "
Realising that economic deprivation was fuelling the anger, the Biharl community began worrying about their own safety. In 1970, Jabbar was a youth of 25. working for Bengalis at a leading cigarette company As the political arena became increasingly tense, he noticed growing personal antagonism. though "my ger*«"*l relationships with
March, 1971
Jabbar was among the thousands who heard Sheikh Mujibur Rahman s rousing speech at the Race Course on the 7th of March. 1971, calling for independence. "Frankly," he smiles ruefully, "I was horrified. This was against everything wc wanted, everything we had worked for.
When the Awami Ixraguc won 167 seats in the National Assembly out of 311, and the People's Party of Pakistan won only 88, PPP leader Zulfikar Alt Bhutto was not amused. The martial law government of Yahya Khan dilly-dallied over the handover of power to an East Pakistan-based Awami League.
Bhutto arrived in Dhaka for talks with Mujib. On March 24th, Jabbar was part of a six-member delegation of Biharis who went to speak with Bhutto. "Wc were faced with an uncertain situation, and he reassured us. "Don't worry, you all will be okay.'" TWcnty-onc years later, Jabbar is still here.
"I will always remember that terrible night of March 25th. The streets were empty al 8 pm when I went to my office. In the factory, Bengali workers were preparing sharp weapons, and their looks froze my heart," says Jabbar. "When the Pak army started the killing, we were all shaking in the factory, where we stayed the night "
The collaboration
When Pakistan was born, the Biharl contribution was doubtless substantia). Unfortunately for them, the country they were building ceased to exist. And any sacrifice they speak of was erased In the Bengali national psyche during the traumatic birth of Bangladesh. With noted exceptions such ns Naushad Noori and Ahmed Riaz. who had supported the Language Movement, and scores of others who helped Bengali friends in need, or befriended the cause. Biharis were on the side of an undivided Pakistan and maintaining the status quo
Jabbar admits the atrocities that Biharis took part In. and says In weak defence. Wc wanted Pakistan, that was what we had left Bihar for."
He denies any Involvement with the Infamous Peace Committee, which worked for the Pakistani army and was responsible for the murders of' many of the three million Bengalis left dead In the genocide of '71
"I kept up with some of the freedom fighters, some of
whom were of-Bihari descent Jabbar regrets that, no one remembers that some Biharis fought for Bangladesh Hard to remember, critics say. when the Bihari population Itself chose to be Pakistani after Independence.
Independence and
Repatriation
In the days following Pakistani surrender. Biharis in their traditional strongholds of Mohammadpur and other neighbourhoods did not Immediately react In fact, aggression against Bengalis went on In these areas. When eventually overwhelmed by Bangladeshi forces. Biharls were asked to choose their nationality Many Bengalis consider this to have been an excessively generous gesture, considering the feet that they wanted nothing to do with us ’ says one noted politician of the dtw.
Nearly half a million Biharis chose to be Pakistani nationals, while an equal number opted for Bangladeshi citizenship. By 1974. more than 160,000 had been repatriated. For those left behind, over the years, anticipation has given way to stublxirnncss. A repatriation
due Io begin tn '73 sputtered Io u slop as Pakistan claimed It did not have the money to transport the Biharis.
In 1976. disillusioned, the Biharis formed the Stranded Pakistanis Repatriation Committee (SPRC) We realised that Pakistan was not accepting us as bona fide
citizens, and we had to agitate to get some attention." Jabar angrily remembers. Secretary Nasim Khan announced that Bhutto had put a stop to repatriation
The Biharl diaspora. In western countries and the Arab world, came to the aid of the SPRC Now there are sister organizations all over the world, trying to raise money for repatriation Awareness of the Biharl issue grew They came by their epithet of the Palestinians of south Asia.
At the SAARC summit in 1985. Pakistan admitted its responsibility Another accord, another change of administration, another stalemate Benaxir Bhuttos government was none too keen on these new additions to a tense nation and insisted focal opinion was hostile to newcomers "We were hopeful about Nawaz Sharif." says Jabbar, "but nothing happened for quite some time Then Khaleda Zia went to Pakistan. We had prepared this march across India, there were 20 thousand of us gathered on the border. Then Nasim Khan (Secretary of the SPRC) called us from
Pakistan and confirmed that Zia and Sharif had reached an understanding. Pakistan has agreed to accept Initially 3000 families this coming winter (see accompanying story)
Life In The Camp
Some 18 thousand Biharis arc crowded into the
approximately 20 to 25 blghas of Mohammadpur camp across the country. 66 camps house the remaining population. In Geneva Camp, two toilets serve every fifteen families. Mainly tn the care of the Saudi Arabian organization Rabita. the camps languish in complete neglect.
Reportedly, rations are two kilos of rice per head per month, donated by the government of Bangladesh Some camp Inhabitants claim they do not receive this regularly.
Facilities arc minimal, living conditions guarantee total lack of privacy, and a dissatisfied populace simply waits and watte for something to happen to them When someone wants to visit, leaders of the community often object "Is our camp a zoo for all to come and gape T
Jabbar understands the prejudice Biharis face outside their community Derogatory language Is used even of established Biharis in mainstream society. "What we did In 1971 will never be forgotten." he admits, "but Bengalis who did terrible things can go around with their heads held high "
Many of the camp inhabitants complain of discrimination against them because of their background. "If I go to a school myself lo ask for an admission form for my son. my accent gives me away, alleges one parent. I am forced to send a relative who speaks proper Bengali."
Biharis who have gone into business, as many shop-owners testify, are often forced keep a Bengali partner, just to keep the peace" with local extortionists.
The Second Generation
Munna and his brother Zafar attend Nannagar Junior high school. Though Zafar Is
16. he is only tn class 8. "I had to drop out of school often." Zafar claims, "in order to srork, since my father cannot make enough lo feed the family "
He wants to go to Pakistan, and Is excited by the prospect of an airlift as early as December "In Pakistan, my father will have a government job. and I can afford to haw an education," Zafar believes firmly.
In he camp, most Biharis are employed tn skilled manual work, aa rickshaw or motor mechanics
Zafar and Munna are representatives of a generation who have known ns other home bul the rancid lean-tos they live in. sometimes ten to a room many ol the camp children attend government schools, since the Urdu medium school on the amp premises. staffed by Biharis. does not offer a very high standard.
Rabeya, who is 12. admits si yly that she has Bengali friends. She docs not want to fly to Pakistan, she says: "I’ve never been there No matter what the children's opinion on repatriation and the promise of a better future in Pakistan, those who grew up in Independent Bangladesh arc of one voice whenever '71 is mentioned. "If my parents had chosen differently." says Munna, "If most Biharis hud derided to stay, we might have had homes by now. We could be settled instead of spending our lives waiting. Maybe
The feeling of rejection, hoplelessness and despair continues The state of the Biharis remain uncertain.
December seems still too far. Further still are the times to come for majority of others not Included in the limited number of those selected for the December flights to Pakistan.There Is no guarantee to Improve the feeling of the dejected Biharis
The unpleaseant simo sphere may not Improve for the Interim period to pass between the frequencies of uncertain Hights There is only wailing . hoping and praying maybe
Jabbar Is unequivocal when asked how he will vote when his much-awaited day comes: "Muslim League, of course. Nawaz Sharif has done so much for us." Perhaps Sharif should speed things up and bring his vote bank in
And what a devoted vote bank. On the walls of the spre
Bengalis would hate us less and we would live Just like any other minority here."
Such matter-of-fact children are not reflections of their parents, most of whom dream of a perfect Pakistan. "We hear wc will be given two-room houses and 80 square yards of land I have also heard we ll be give n Jobs according lo our qualifications." claims Jabbar. "There is no prejudice against Biharis In Pakistan, it Is a land of Muslim brotherhood." Many Biharis do not share this enthusiasm. "What difference will It make." asks Munna s mother Mariam. "We are poor here as well as there."
office, enshrined pictures of local deities adorn the walls: Jinnah, who Biharls claim is their inspiration, and Ziaul Huq. "because he was so supportive of the Bihari issue.’ A liny photograph of the Ayatollah Khomeini completes the picture. Outside in the muddy alleys. Urdu film songs struggle with the stench In the air. and Pakistani flags adorn > shop walls.
A little bit of Pakistan is wailing lo go home A people . who have chosen lo remain tn limbo build their caalJcs in ths-air. The December airlift cannot come too soon.
Photos: Pavel Rahman