6 more fall sick as enclave people continue fasting

People of 111 enclaves inside Bangladesh continued their hunger strike for the third day in Panchagarh yesterday to press their three-point demand including enclave exchange.Photo: STAR

Six more people fell sick as the indefinite hunger strike by inhabitants of 111 Indian enclaves in Panchagarh entered third day yesterday.
The enclave dwellers started the strike on Sunday to press home their three-point demand including immediate implementation of the 1974 Indo-Bangla land boundary agreement, popularly known as Indira-Mujib Pact.
About 200 people, including women and children from different enclaves, took part in the strike beside Dhaka-Panchagarh Highway near Puthimari Indian enclave in Boda upazila.
The two others demands are ensuring fundamental rights of the enclave dwellers on both sides of the Indo-Bangla border and free movement with passports to perform religious rituals.
Earlier, at least five people fell sick on the second day of the strike, said Dr Ranjan Kumer Sen, medical officer of Boda Upazila Health Complex.
President of Jatya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) Shafiul Alam Prodhan expressed solidarity with the strike and blockade the highway for about 15 minutes.
Chairman of Puthimari Indian enclave Toslimuddin, chairman of Garati Indian enclave Mofizer Rahaman, chairman of Kajoldighi Indian enclave and JAGPA president, addressed the programme.
The leaders said they would continue the programme until the demands are met.