Enclave residents want time frame for swap

Residents of Bangladeshi enclaves in Cooch Behar district have threatened to go on a hunger strike if the Government of India fails to specify a time frame for the swap of enclaves between the two countries.

Residents of Bangladeshi enclaves in Cooch Behar district have threatened to go on a hunger strike if the Government of India fails to specify a time frame for the swap of enclaves between the two countries.

Upbeat by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh last week,where the two countries signed the treaty of swapping the enclaves,the residents are now keen to see a time frame within which the swapping is process completed.

The residents of the enclaves had almost lost hope in the last three decades as there were no discussion and on the issue. But after the recent treaty,people of these enclaves have started dreaming again. And now they want a specific date when the enclaves will be officially exchanged and the residents of the enclaves will get citizenship,said Diptiman Sengupta,secretary of Indo-Bangladesh Enclave Exchange Co-ordination Committee.

Since,we are yet to get any response from the government,we will start with a seven-day agitation programme that will include candle light vigil and torch rally. Residents will also shun cooking as a mark of protest,said Sengupta.

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