Historical Influx of East Pakistan Refugees and Their Settlement in West Bengal (India)

Partition of India enkindled the migration from East Pakistan and is one of the major tragic incidents in Indian history. The newly drawn invisible international border experienced a massive refugee influx in West Bengal. This present study highlights the refugee influx in West Bengal over time and how they organised themselves to settle in different camps and colonies of West Bengal with little or no government intervention. Using secondary data and cartographic techniques, this study also highlights the governmental support to construct relief camps and colonies in various districts of West Bengal for the migrants coming from East Pakistan. The available narratives and life history ( http://www.1947partitionarchieve.org/ ) reflect the refugee journey towards West Bengal. The first exodus occurred after the Noakhali and Tippera riots, and several phases of displacement occurred in West Bengal over time. Government initiative was inadequate to tackle the mass exodus, resulting in the refugees’ autonomous efforts to settle into various squatter colonies. Due to this tragic incident, the people of West Bengal also witnessed political instability, religious oppression, the trauma of riots, and economic and social insecurity along with mass displacement.