Darj meet to talk ‘left out’ Indian enclave people

Manas R Bannerjee, SNS,  Siliguri, | 15 September, 2015: Cooch Behar district magistrate P Ulaganathan has said he will seriously plead for 'left out' Indian people in enclaves in the next India Bangladesh Joint Working Group meeting to be held in Darjeeling on 5 October.

The decision was taken on Monday after the DM interacted with enclave residents, who had opted for Indian nationality during the joint survey conducted for during the enclave exchange programme.

A group of people has already entered India as part of an 'exposure visit' after receiving multi-visa from the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh.

Around 35 persons, all residents of Dasiar Chhara and Banskata, Indian enclaves that have now been incorporated into Bangladesh, along with Cooch Behar MP Renuka Sinha, on Monday met the DM and informed him of the present situation in the enclaves.

They also informed him of the views of other people, who missed a chance to opt for Indian nationality.

Ulaganathan himself interacted with each people to know what exactly is going on in that part of the fence, and the people's desires.

He asked them to file applications, pointing out their specific problems as soon as possible. He also told the visitors that he will take up the matter in the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on 5 October.

Ulaganathan asked the advisor of the Indian Enclave United Council (IEUC), Debabrata Chaki, who led the enclave residents, to coordinate with them so that they can file the applications soon. He further asked the MP to forward their applications.

Sources said that the Cooch Behar MP, Chaki and enclave residents, including Mizanur Rahman, Habibur Rahman, Mrinal Kanti Burman, and Swapna Roy, were delighted after interacting with the DM.

Enclave residents mainly raised the issue of their land and how they would be able to sell it at a reasonable price before leaving the new Bangladesh area for India.

The DM has asked them to file applications related to land matters in detail. The DM has also informed them that the people, who wanted to settle in India but could not opt for Indian nationality, can now apply afresh.

It was also discussed that the people, who are out of the list prepared after a joint survey conducted in 2011, will be able to apply now.

Enclave residents, who have come to India on an 'exposure visit' can also open bank accounts here by showing the multi-visa, it was discussed.

After interacting with the DM, Sinha said:"The district magistrate was nice during the interaction and he has taken some good initiatives for the enclave residents."

Addressing the media, Ulaganathan said that besides the enrolment, some more people want to settle in India and that the matter would be discussed in the next meeting in Darjeeling.