KOLKATA: Speaking on India and Bangladesh’s exchange of enclaves, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta said that it is a matter of rejoice.
“It’s a great day for them and a matter of rejoice for us. Those who have been living outside of statehood, they have been able to come back to the country. It is great. We are all very happy,” Dasgupta told ANI.
162 enclaves of India and Bangladesh were integrated with the main land with the execution of Land Border Agreement between the two countries at midnight Friday night.
51 Bangladeshi enclaves situated at Indian soil in Coochbehar District of West Bengal amalgamated with India, while 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladeshi territory integrated with the country.
National flags were hoisted in all the enclaves in both sides of the border and residents of these enclaves will get citizenship according to their choice.
The enclaves are home to over 50,000 people.
These people have been treated as in effect stateless for six decades but the agreement between the two countries would finally get them proper identity.