[IAC#RG] Statement on Enclaves : Recently signed Agreement between India and Bangladesh

STATEMENT

 

The situation at the enclaves was euphoric after the passing of 119^th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) and after the signing of protocol between the Bangladeshi and Indian prime ministers at Dhaka - Bangladesh, the ecstasy reached its epitome. Majority of the populace found this action as a ray of hope and MASUM including civil society from both the countries found a respite regarding this long pending issue of bilateral concern. India and Bangladesh signed total 22 Bi-lateral agreements in one day, i.e. on 7^th June 2015; including Land Boundary Agreement, by which enclaves (111 Indian in Bangladesh, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India) will be transferred.

 

But as we already voiced our concerns that this act in haste by the governments and their attitude to exclude the populace from decision making would open up a Pandora's Box of distress and conflict; became a reality.  The whole process to resolve a long standing issue of citizenry rights for enclave dwellers was culminated while not a single dwellers was consulted or their opinion has been taken into consideration. Now, after this signing thousands living in a foreign land and an intention to migrate to a country of their choice or in another situation, willing to stay back at their native; which has received new geo political identity of separate country facing equal uncertainty and became victims of attacks from religio - political fundamentalists and various forms of vested interests.

 

Just before and after the signing, there were several incidents where enclave dwellers of both the countries were being attacked, their houses being torched, threatened to leave their land and houses ransacked. This news of human destitution are pouring from enclaves; only corroborating our apprehension and concern.

 

These are few information we have received from various enclaves; on 7^th June 2015 an exodus of male residents from Daseyerchhora (Indian enclave) happened; even aged persons were not spared. An office of Enclave Committee (Chitmahal United Committee) was being ransacked. At Banskatha Chit no.-115 (Indian enclave); Hindus are being threatened by the non-enclave Bangladeshi hooligans; though Hindus were majority in this enclave. Banskatha Chit no.-119 (Indian enclave); has a distance of mere 5 bighas with mainland India and they demanded for corridor and Indian citizenship but continuously being threatened by the religious fundamentalist Jamat groups and a large number of people left their village since Dhaka accord on 6 June, 2015.  

 

In Indian part, Mashaldanga in Coochbehar district, erstwhile Bangladeshi enclave experienced similar attacks; on the evening of 7^th June, the natives of mentioned enclave were attacked, house was torched. Enclave dwellers are threatened and being asked to leave Indian land.

We have had apprehension that large scale violence, similar to the situation during partition in 1947, might have occurred, if the populace are not being consulted or taken into confidence. We further opined that a thorough democratic process of people's participation will be the only solution to decipher the reality and provide reasonable way out. The governments of neighboring countries of Bangladesh and India have different agenda; they are in hurriedness to conceal their non- achievements and failures in domestic arena and put a brave face before the domestic as well as international audience; further the government of India is in hurry to take the position of regional satrap at this part of the globe; to get permanent membership in Security Council at U.N.

In this context, we reiterate our position that this initiative of bilateral political discourse was lacking the actual democratic element of people's participation and in contravention of basic tenets of Article 1 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Article 1 of United Nations Basic Principles and Guidelines on Development-based Evictions and Displacement and demand for:-         

·         All enclave dwellers must be provided with an identity document

·         An enclave level census must be initiated immediately

·         The governments must publish an enclave level list of affected population

·         Details of rehabilitation and compensation must be published in public domain

·         Communal harmony must be protected in future

·         Land grabbing by the mafias having political and administrative at both parts should be stopped

·     The inadequacies, deficiencies, contradictions and unconstitutionalities of the land transfer issues must be solved by the States; otherwise the issue must be referred to International Court of Justice.     

Secretary, MASUM

8^th June 2015

--

Kirity Roy
Secretary
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha
(MASUM)
&
National Convenor (PACTI)
Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity
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