Strong Indo-Bangla relations catalyst for Assam's economy, says Gogoi

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi yesterday called for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations, stating that it would provide an impetus to the economy of the northeast, affected badly over the years.
The call comes just a day after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's historic visit to Dhaka.
Speaking to reporters here, Gogoi said, "The dispute between India and Bangladesh over the boundary has been going on since the creation of Bangladesh. There is no doubt about that.
“As far as the agreement is concerned, the area has to be demarcated also. There are certain areas we call adverse possessions and certain known as undemarcated territories.
"We want to settle our disputes so that the relationship between India and Bangladesh improves in every manner. We would want connectivity also because earlier it was a part of India.
“So, whole of the northeast is backward and has become a land locked region because connectivity is not good be it road, rail or waterway. The whole economy of northeast is badly affected. We want our relations with our neighbours to improve.”
The protocol to the agreement concerning demarcation of Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh and related matters was signed during the prime minister's recent two-day visit to Bangladesh.
Gogoi added, "So, the lands that Bangladesh has been claiming for years, that is three to four areas that is Baroibari (193 acres), it has been all along with them and we conceded it to them.
“There is another area that is Pallathal Tea Gardens which they say is theirs, but we said no. The dispute has been on four years.
"Labourers at those areas want to be with them, the companies are also registered with them. Out of the 455 acres, Pallathal Tea Gardens we have agreed on only 74.5 acres.
“Then there is Nayagaon, which has 145 acres. We did not agree to them and further Dumabari area, we have acceded them 90 acres.”