CALCUTTA: The twin threat of famine and floods has hit four states in eastern India bringing distress to more than 50 million people. According to reports yesterday [July 30], the states of West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Orissa were faced with a starvation problem and on top of this the Jalpaighuri, Coochbehar and other areas in the north were also threatened by landslides following torrential monsoons. In Darjeeling the landslides have disrupted communications and rain has swollen most of the rivers in north Bengal drowning villages and jute and paddy fields. — News agencies

[News agencies add from New Delhi,] India and Pakistan will begin withdrawing troops from each other’s territory on August 9, according to reports… . The withdrawal from the areas captured from each other during last December’s war, will take place along the entire border region. In Jammu and Kashmir the forces will remain as they are. The pull-out was agreed by President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Premier Indira Gandhi … . According to the reports exact details of the pull-out … are being finalised by the Indian Defence Ministry.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2022