INDIA’S Lok Sabha adjourned in uproar yesterday [March 12] after newspaper reports that the former Army Chief, General K.M Cariappa had suggested suspending the Constitution and a takeover by the military. Communist and Marxist communist members walked out while other opposition members remained shouting slogans. In the Upper House of the Indian Parliament several members expressed their disappointment over General Cariappa’s remarks.

Meanwhile the Chief Minister of the Indian State of West Bengal, Mr Ajoy Mukerji, who is now in New Delhi, advocated President’s rule in the state to end the growing lawlessness as the United Front Ministry finally breaks up. He reiterated his decision to resign on Monday. Mr Mukerji made the statement after meeting the Indian Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi and the Home Minister, Mr Chavan. — Agency

[Meanwhile, as reported by an agency in Dinajpur,] Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Chief of the Awami League, yesterday [March 11] ... called upon the Government to make public detailed account of the Refugee Tax collected from the province since the inception of Pakistan. He said that the collection of such tax from this province must be spent here on proper rehabilitation of the disturbed and displaced families.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2020