NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the District Magistrate of Cooch Behar in West Bengal to carry out a survey to record the choice of nationality of people in over 100 enclaves coming under the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement, which would be effected on July 31.
While delegating the power vested with the Centre in terms of Section 16 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, the MHA asked the District Magistrate to obtain written declaration from Indian/Bangladesh enclave residents who wish to acquire Indian or Bangladeshi citizenship. During the survey, the authorities would identify the residents who wish to continue to retain the nationality they hold prior to actual transfer of territory.
Under the power that was delegated to the District Magistrate on Monday, the authorities would also prepare a draft register listing the names and other particulars of persons who wish to acquire Indian citizenship. A separate register would list names of those who wish to renounce Indian citizenship.
After the initial exercise, authorities will publish both the registers and would call for objections, if any.