Assam has support of local residents for land swap deal: Govt

Assam government today said it is going ahead with the Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh with full support of the residents of Karimganj and Dhubri districts, where the protocol will be effected.
"If we do not have support of the local people, we cannot get anything forcefully. But we have full backing of the people of Karimganj and Dhubri districts," Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Subhash Ch Das told reporters here.
He said implementation of the agreement will be "once for all" between the two countries.
Stating that Assam will be a net gainer of 445.6 acres after "give-and-take" of land parcels between the two nations, Das said because of the long-pending border issue, fencing could not be completed in some disputed locations.

"If the protocol is implemented, we will be able to seal the border. This will help in stopping illegal infiltration to Assam and as a whole to India," he added.
The Union Cabinet today cleared the Bill to operationalise the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh. The bill now includes territories in Assam along with those in West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya.

Last week, the Centre had said since the issue of land swap under LBA with Bangladesh has evoked "emotional reaction" in Assam, the Bill will not include any land of Assam.
BJP unit in Assam has opposed the exchange of enclaves between Bangladesh and India involving the territory of Assam.

The Congress government in the state, on the other hand, has been maintaining that the provisions of the protocol are an integral part of the 1974 agreement between India and Bangladesh.
According to the protocol, the Radcliff Line demarcating the border in Assam sector namely, Lathitilla-Dumabari sector in Karimganj district, Kalabari (Boroibari) area in Dhubri district and the Pallathal area in Karimganj district of Assam will be re-drawn.
As a result of the re-demarcation proposed in the LBA, approximately 714 acres of land in Lathitilla area will become part of Assam and 193.85 acres of land in Kalabari (Boroibari) and 74.55 acres in Pallathal will formally go to Bangladesh. These 268.40 acres of land are already under adverse possession of Bangladesh.