"A joint survey by India and Bangladesh demarcated that Muhurichar in Belonia sub-division of South Tripura be handed over to the neighbouring country and Chandan Nagar in Kamalpur sub-division of Dhalai district remained with us. During the survey, there was no representative of the state. So, we have demanded a fresh survey before handing over the enclave," state Revenue Minister Badal Chowdhury told reporters here today.
"There is no problem regarding Chandan Nagar, but if Muhurichar is handed over to Bangladesh in accordance with the recent joint survey, the security of the Belonia town, the district headquarters of South Tripura district, would be at stake. Our Revenue Secretary, Puneet Agarwal also informed Dhaka that Tripura is opposed to that during the sixth Bangladesh-India Joint Boundary Working Group meeting in Dhaka last month," he added.
Around 1,500 people have been living in Chandan Nagar, long before the partition of India in 1947, and more than 50 farmers have been cultivating in the 'Muhurichar' for ages.
The dispute over the 'char' between India and the then East Pakistan started after 1965 and the border guards of the two countries exchanged fire on several occasions.
Tripura has a 856-km long border with the neighbouring country which surrounds the state from three sides.