People living in Indian enclaves inside the Bangladesh territory yesterday expressed their joy over the signing of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. They expressed their jubilation by waving Bangladeshi flags and distributing sweetmeats among as they are soon going to become Bangladeshi citizens, after long 68 years passing lives in miserable condition bereft of any civic facilities.
People, young and old at Bhitarkuti and Bashpochai enclaves in Lalmonirhat Sadar, with smile on their faces, yesterday brought out processions holding Bangladesh flags. They also distributed sweetmeats among villagers to celebrate their freedom from old barriers of enclaves. Abu Bakar, a sexagenarian at the Bhitarkuti enclave, said, “We could not give our identity for the last 68 years. But from now on, we can say we are Bangladeshi.”
Badal Mia, a 55-year old living at Number 16 Votbari enclave under Patgram upazila said that they would bring out processions on Sunday to express their jubilation for becoming citizens of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, local administration said they did not yet get any formal directive from the higher authorities over the matter. They are closely monitoring the overall situation of the enclaves so that no confusion can be created among the people living in the enclaves.