Joint border survey in Habiganj-Tripura ends
Barbed wire fencing to remain suspended, 'disputed' 80 hectares belongs to Bangladesh
Ending a five-day joint survey, officials of Bangladesh and India yesterday signed a draft document on border demarcation in Habiganj-Tripura sector.
The document was signed after a joint meeting at Habiganj Circuit House yhat reviewed and finalised the draft demarcation. The draft will be sent to their respective higher authorities for approval of 'major issues', officials said after signing of the document.
The survey on both sides of the border was held in a cordial atmosphere and at talks, Indian officials showed a positive attitude to resolve the disputes, the officials said. The Indian team will leave today.
The two teams agreed on reconstruction of some 25 border pillars and sub-pillars along the 10 kilometre border from Ballah border outpost to Sindurkhan border outpost as soon as possible, Sylhet Division Zonal Settlement Officer MA Rouf told The Daily Star.
“It will be done by July this year”, he said.
The teams agreed on some of the issues, but some gaps still remained, which would be resolved through discussion at higher level, he said.
It has been decided that demolished or stolen border pillars will be installed again.
The teams agreed to stop erection of barbed fence along 'disputed' areas till the borders. But a decision in this regard will be taken at higher level, the Bangladesh official said.
The survey found that that about 80 acres of land where Bangladeshi farmers were forcibly barred from cultivating for long by Indians was actually part of Bangladesh territory. This issue will be settled by higher authorities, survey officials said.
Eight survey officials, four from each side, completed a 3-day survey along the Indian side of border in Habiganj-Tripura sector on Friday.
JK Rath, Director of Survey for West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram, is leading the Indian side while Director General, Survey of Bangladesh, Mahfuzur Rahman is heading the Bangladesh team.
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