Ex-enclave people celebrate one year of freedom

Residents of the former enclaves in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon celebrated the first anniversary of the historic exchange of adversely possessed lands between Bangladesh and India with various programmes yesterday.

At midnight on July 31, 2015, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves inside Indian territory and 111 Indian enclaves in Panchagarh, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts inside Bangladesh were attached to their respective countries. With this, about 40,000 people got identity as Bangladesh nationals. 

In Panchagarh, people of the former enclaves, public representatives and government officials took part in different programmes, including placing of floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar, hoisting of national flag, processions and sports and cultural functions at Rajmahal village (former Garati enclave), our Thakurgaon correspondent reports.

During a visit to the village, this correspondent saw smiles on the faces of the people of all ages.

Mahfuza, Shakila and Ratan, HSC students at a college in Rajmahal village, told this correspondent, "We are happy as we got admission to the college without hiding our identities."

Ojifa Begum, 65, of Nazirganj village, said her name was enlisted for elderly allowance, and she hoped she would get the allowance within 2/3 months.  

"We had no rights to lodge complaints with police stations. Now we have the right, and the people are confident that they will get justice or legal support if they become victims of criminal offence," Hekmat, a resident, said.

Amal Krisna Mandal, deputy commissioner of Panchagarh, said the government is working to mainstream the former enclave people who were deprived of basic civic amenities for decades. 

The first anniversary of the exchange of enclaves was observed at 59 former enclaves in three upazilas of Lalmonirhat yesterday with cultural programmes and sports competitions, our Lalmonirhat correspondent reports.

"We are feeling proud to be Bangladesh nationals after exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh on July 31 last year," said Atoar Rahman, 45, an inhabitant of former enclave Bhitarkuti of Kulaghat union under Lalmonirhat Sadar.

Rafiqul Islam, 56, of the village said they became Bangladesh nationals a year back but they have not got their National Identity (NID) cards yet. "Due to lack of NID cards we are deprived of enjoying government facilities and getting jobs," he added.

"Before exchange of enclaves, we did not understand what independence meant, but we are now enjoying independence," said Sur Jamal Miah, 50, of Banshkata under Patgram upazila.