NEW DELHI: Land Boundary Agreement Act, notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice on May 28 after getting Presidential assent, is likely to be operationalised within three months, sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
The notification did not mention the appointed day, triggering speculation that announcement in this regard may happen during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh later this week.
Appointed day means the date as the Centre may, by notification in the official gazette, appoint as the date for acquisition of territories from Bangladesh and transfer of territories to Bangladesh in pursuance of the India-Bangladesh agreement and its protocol, after causing the territories to be so acquired and transferred as referred to in the First Schedule and Second Schedule and demarcated for the purpose.
“We are hoping for better coordination at the border which will boost security in the region as well as curb illegal immigration. A blueprint is ready for the development of Bangladeshi enclaves that would be ceded to India,” sources said.
The Land Boundary Bill had cleared the Parliament hurdle after the NDA agreed to the Congress’ demand for including enclaves in Assam. The notification included Kalabari (Boroibari) area in Assam sector. It said the boundary shall be drawn from existing Boundary Pillar No. 1066/24-T to Boundary Pillar No. 1067/16-T as surveyed jointly and agreed in August, 2011. Pallathal area in Assam sector too was included where boundary will be drawn from existing boundary Pillar No. 1370/3-S to 1371/6-S to follow the outer edge of the tea garden and from boundary Pillar No. 1372 to 1373/2-S along outer edge of the pan plantation.
‘Ensure safety of Indian enclave dwellers’
Congress MP Pradip Bhattacharya has asked the Centre to ensure protection and security for the Indian enclave dwellers during the exchange process. In his letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Bhattacharya urged the government to remain alert and sought steps for the implementation of the package without any delay.