The Qadian Diary — Page 61
Letters, Correspondence, and Articles 47 Copy of personal letter sent by Mirza Bashir Ahmad, M. A. , local Amir of Ahmadiyya Community, Qadian to the Hon’ble Sardar Swarn Singh, Home Member, East Punjab Government, Jullundur. Qadian 18th September 1947 Dear Sardar Sahib, I was very glad to learn five days ago that you phoned to me at mid-night but that you could not get my connection, and that consequently you gave a message for me to the clerk on duty that you had ordered the removal of the hitch about our trunk calls. It was indeed very kind of you but unfortunately owing to some unknown reason we have not so far been able to get a trunk call or even to contact you on the telephone for which I tried my best for so many hours. Our present main difficulties may be summed up as follows:— 1. We are almost completely cut off from the rest of the world and even from our district and tehsil headquarters, there being practically no telephonic or telegraphic connection, no trains and no mails. Road traffic is also practically blocked because our Jeep cars have been banned and other cars have no petrol, not to speak of the danger on the way which makes it practically impossible to move about without an escort. If telegraphic or telephonic connection be restored and at least one daily train service be resumed that would be a very material relief for which all concerned will be extremely thankful to you. 2. There are about fifty thousand refugees gathered at Qadian from the neighbouring Muslim villages. This huge number is creating a very serious problem for us, not only in the matter of food but also as a possible