BGB, local admin work to ensure peace in Kurigram enclaves

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along with the local administration are closely working with the people of 12 Indian enclaves in the district to ensure peace and control the law and order situation as the land boundary agreement (LBA) between Bangladesh and India awaits implementation.

Earlier on May 6, Indian Lok Sabha passed a bill to implement the LBA with Bangladesh, a move welcomed by thousands of people living in 162 enclave areas along the border of the two countries as it is expected to end their 68-year-long captive life. 

There are 12 Indian enclaves in Kurigram district of Bangladesh and 18 Bangladeshi enclaves in the adjoining Indian district of Cooch Behar.

Lt Col Jakir Hossain, commanding officer of Kurigram Battalion 45 of BGB, said he along with the district's Assistant Superintendent of Police Masud Alam has recently visited five enclave areas in Bhurungamari upazila under the district and found the people in a festive mood there.

No untoward incident has been reported so far and the administration has urged all the people for assistance in maintaining law and order in the coming days, he said.

However, local people have expressed concerns over the long-standing dispute between the supporters of two groups working with the enclave communities -- the United Council and the Bangladesh-India Enclave Exchange Coordination Committee.

Mizanur Rahman, a leader of United Council's Dashdia Chhara enclave, alleged that some supporters of the Bangladesh-India Enclave Exchange Committee tried to spread fear among the people following the recent developments regarding the enclave exchange between the two countries.

Denying the allegation, Enclave Exchange Coordination Committee's Bangladesh unit general secretary Golam Mostafa said a quarter opposing the LBA is hatching conspiracies over the recent progress in the process of enclave exchange. 

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner AMB Azad said they are keeping alert over the law and order situation in the enclaves.