Updated: Saturday August 10, 2019/AsSabt
Thoul Hijjah 09, 1440/Sanivara
Sravana 19, 1941, at 08:19:30 PM
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF
8 April 1950
A.
The Governments of India and Pakistan solemnly agree that each shall ensure, to
the minorities throughout its territory, complete equality of citizenship,
irrespective of religion, a full sense of security in respect of life, culture,
property and personal honour, freedom of movement within each country and
freedom of occupation, speech and worship, subject to law and morality. Members
of the minorities shall have equal opportunity with members of the majority
community to participate in the public life of their country, to hold political
or other office, and to serve in their country's civil and armed forces.
Both
Governments declare these rights to be fundamental and undertake to enforce
them effectively. The Prime Minister of India has drawn attention to the fact
that these rights are guaranteed to all minorities in
B.
In respect of migrants from
(i)
That there shall be freedom of movement and protection in transit;
(ii)
That there shall be freedom to remove as much of his moveable personal effects
and household goods as migrant may wish to take with him. Moveable property
shall include personal jewellery. The maximum cash allowed to each adult
migrant will be Rs. 150 and to each migrant child Rs. 75;
(iii)
That a migrant may deposit such of his personal jewellery or cash as he does
not wish to take with him with a bank. A proper receipt shall be furnished to
him by the bank for cash or jewellery thus deposited and facilities shall be
provided, as and when required for their transfer to him, subject as regards
cash to the exchange regulations of the Government concerned;
(iv)
That there shall be no harassment by the Customs authorities. At each customs
post agreed upon by the Governments concerned, liaison officers of the other
Government shall be posted to ensure this in practice;
(v)
Rights of ownership in or occupancy of the immoveable property of a migrant
shall not be disturbed. If, during his absence, such property is occupied by
another person, it shall be returned to him provided that he comes back by the
31st December, 1950. Where the migrant was a cultivating owner or tenant, the
land shall be restored to him provided that he returns not later than the 31st
December, 1950. In exceptional eases, if a Government considers that a
migrant's immoveable property cannot be returned to him, the matter shall be
referred to the appropriate Minority Commission for advice. Where restoration of
immoveable property to the migrant who returns within the specified period is
found not possible, the Government concerned shall take steps to rehabilitate
him.
(vi)
That in the case of a migrant who decides not to return, ownership of all his
immoveable property shall continue to vest in him and he shall have
unrestricted right to dispose of it by sale, by exchange with an evacuee in the
other country, or otherwise. A committee consisting of three representatives of
minority and presided over by a representative of Government shall act as
trustees of the owner. The Committee shall be empowered to recover rent for
such immoveable property according to law. The Governments of East Bengal, West
Bengal, Assam and Tripura shall enact the necessary legislation to set up these
Committees. The Provincial or State Government, as the case may be, will
instruct the District or other appropriate authority to give all possible
assistance for the discharge of the Committee's functions. The Provisions of
this sub-paragraph shall also apply to migrants who may have left East Bengal
for any part of India, or West Bengal, Assam or Tripura for any part of
Pakistan, prior to the recent disturbances but after the 15th August, 1947. The
arrangement in this sub-paragraph will apply also to migrants who have left
Bihar for
C.
As regards the
(1)
Continue their efforts to restore normal conditions and shall take suitable
measures to prevent recurrence of disorder.
(2)
Punish all those who are found guilty of offences against persons and property
and of other criminal offences In view of their deterrent effect, collective
fines shall be imposed, where necessary. Special Courts will, where necessary,
be appointed to ensure that wrong doers are promptly punished.
(3)
Make every possible effort to recover looted property.
(4)
Set up immediately an agency, with which represen- tatives of the minority
shall be associated, to assist in the recovery of abducted women. 53 NOT
recognise forced conversions. Any conversion effected during a period of
communal disturbance shall be deemed to be forced conversion. Those found
guilty of converting people forcibly shall be punished.
(6)
Set up a Commission of Enquiry at once to enquire into and report on the causes
and extent of the recent disturbances and to make recommendatiors with a view
to preventing recrudescence of similar trouble in future. The personnel of the
Commission, which shall be presided over by a Judge of the High Court, shall be
such as to inspire confidence among the minority.
(7)
Take prompt and effective steps to prevent the dissemination of news and
mischievous opinion calculated to rouse communal passion by press or radio or
by any individual or organisation. Those guilty of such activity shall be
rigorously dealt with.
(8)
Not permit propaganda in either country directed against the territorial
integrity of the other or purporting to incite war between them and shall take
prompt and effective action against any individual or organisation guilty of
such propaganda.
D.
Sub-paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (7) and (8) of C of the Agreement are
of General scope and applicable according to exigency to any part of India or
Pakistan.
E.
In order to help restore confidence, so that refugees may return to their
homes, the two Governments have decided
(i)
to depute two Ministers, one from each Government, to remain in the affected
areas for such period as may be necessary;
(ii)
to include in the Cabinets of East Bengal, West Bengal and
F.
In order to assist in the implementation of this Agreement, the two Governments
have decided, apart from the deputation of their Ministers referred to in E, to
set up Minority Commissions, one for East Bengal, one for West Bengal and one
for Assam. These Commissions will be constituted and will have the functions
described below:
(i)
Each Commission will consist of one Minister of the Provincial or State
Government concerned, who will be Chairman, and one representative each of the
majority and minority communities from East Bengal, West Bengal and
(ii)
The two Ministers of the Governments of India and
(iii)
Each Commission shall appoint such staff as it deems necessary for the proper
discharge of its functions and shall determine its own procedure.
(iv)
Each Commission shall maintain contact with the minorities in Districts and
small administrative headquarters through Minority Boards formed in accordance
with the Inter-Dominion Agreement of Decemeber, 1948.
(v)
The Minority Commissions in East Bengal and
(vi)
The two Ministers of the Central Governments will from time to time consult
such persons or organisations as they may consider necessary.
(vii)
The functions of the Minority Commission shall be:
(a) to observe and to report on the implementation
of this Agreement and, for this purpose, to take cognizance of breaches or
neglect;
(b) to advise an action to be taken on their
reommendations.
(viii)
Each Commission shall submit reports, as and when necessary, to the Provincial
and State Governments concerned. Copies of such reports will be submitted
simultaneously to the two Central Ministers during the period referred to in E.
(ix)
The Governments of
(x)
In respect of Tripura, the two Central Ministers shall constitute a Commission
and shall discharge the functions that are assigned under the Agreement to the
Minority Commissions for East Bengal, West Bengal and
G. Except where modified by this Agreement, the Inter-Dominion Agreement of December, 1948 shall remain in force.
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