Enclaves: Those choosing India to get Indian ID card Sep 7-8

The distribution of temporary travel-cum-identity passes to those opted to retain their Indian nationality in the erstwhile Indian enclaves in Bangladesh begins on Monday at special camps located in Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts.

As part of the implementation of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) of 1974 and its 2011 Protocol, the High Commission of India in Dhaka along with Assistant High Commission of India in Rajshahi will begin the process that will continue till Tuesday.

As per the understanding reached between India and Bangladesh, all the identified Indian nationals will finally cross over to India through designated check-posts by November 30, 2015, according to Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

The first camp at Debiganj upazila Rest House in Panchagarh will be inaugurated by Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran at 10am on Monday.

On June 6, Bangladesh and India signed and exchanged the historic instruments of ratification on Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) formalising the long-pending issue between the two countries.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and Indian External Affairs Ministry Secretary Dr S Jaishankar exchanged the document on behalf of their respective countries.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,  her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee witnessed the exchange of ratification instruments.

The LBA was implemented with effect from the midnight of July 31, 2015 ending the prolonged sufferings of those living in enclaves on both sides of Bangladesh and India. -UNB