72 more former enclave dwellers leave for India

The first batch of 72 people from two former Indian enclaves in Kurigram district entered India through the Bagvandar-Shahebganj (Bangladesh-India) border check-post in Bhurungamari upazila of the district yesterday. The Indian travel pass holders included 49 people from 10 families of Dashiarsara in Phulbari upazila and 23 members of five families of Chhoto Garaljhar in Bhurungamari upazila. As many as 305 people from the two enclaves had evinced interest in taking Indian citizenship during the India-Bangladesh joint survey on July 6 to 16, sources at the district control room (enclave) said. However, a few days ago, 70 people (from 19 families), of the 305, had appealed to the district deputy commissioner for permission to stay on in Bangladesh, the sources added. As a result, the rest (163 people) could go to India on November 24, 26 and 29. The 72 pass-holders entered India at 1.30 pm yesterday. Hundreds of people, including relatives of the travel pass holders, were present to bid farewell to the emigrants. The district administration had arranged two buses for the pass holders and 10 pick-up vans for their goods on their way to a temporary camp in Cooch Behar district in West Bengal in India.

72 more former enclave dwellers leave for India

The first batch of 72 people from two former Indian enclaves in Kurigram district entered India through the Bagvandar-Shahebganj (Bangladesh-India) border check-post in Bhurungamari upazila of the district yesterday. The Indian travel pass holders included 49 people from 10 families of Dashiarsara in Phulbari upazila and 23 members of five families of Chhoto Garaljhar in Bhurungamari upazila. As many as 305 people from the two enclaves had evinced interest in taking Indian citizenship during the India-Bangladesh joint survey on July 6 to 16, sources at the district control room (enclave) said. However, a few days ago, 70 people (from 19 families), of the 305, had appealed to the district deputy commissioner for permission to stay on in Bangladesh, the sources added. As a result, the rest (163 people) could go to India on November 24, 26 and 29. The 72 pass-holders entered India at 1.30 pm yesterday. Hundreds of people, including relatives of the travel pass holders, were present to bid farewell to the emigrants. The district administration had arranged two buses for the pass holders and 10 pick-up vans for their goods on their way to a temporary camp in Cooch Behar district in West Bengal in India.