Rajya Sabha ratification of land boundary agreement welcomed

From a Correspondent

Jorhat, May 7: Several citizens, including advocates, RTI activists and educated youths have said that if the land boundary agreement between India and Bangladesh was implemented, the problem of infiltration in the State would be solved.

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday ratified the bill for the 100th amendment of the Constitution for implementation of the land boundary agreement.

“We welcome the agreement which is going to be implemented through constitutiol amendment. No political party and organization should politicize it,” said advocate Rintu Goswami at a press conference in Jorhat on Thursday.

Referring to some documents received from the Prime Minster’s Office, advocate Goswami said that  Bangladesh would be handed over 268.39 acres of land of Thakurbari and Moulobi Bazar area in Dhubri and Karimganj district if the land boundary agreement was implemented. Accordingly 1957.59 acres and 41.702 acres of land from West Bengal and Meghalaya will also be given to Bangladesh.

“As there is no security post nor any permanent boundary line in the unsettled land area in Dhubri and Karimganj district, infiltration of migrants, smuggling of drugs and cattle and several other items could not be prevented for the last 41 years in the area,” he said. He appealed to political parties to participate in an open debate on the issue instead of politicizing it.

According to him once the boundary was settled, government would be able to construct the lines of barbed-wire and security posts to prevent illegal migration from Bangladesh.

Along with him RTI activist Jitu Bora, advocate Gautam Bora and many other citizens including Arunjoy Saikia of Jorhat demanded the State Government to start land-survey in the State.