Rumour mills in the Indian exclaves are working overtime on the eve of the final settlement of the Bangladesh-India territory exchange, with suggestions swirling about that India will handsomely reward those who retain their Indian nationality.
At the stroke of midnight on July 31, the two states will formally exchange territories. The following day the population transfer of those who wish to return to their respective mainlands will begin.
Many exclave residents are considering opting for India in the hope of getting financial assistance from the Indian government, residents said.
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Joynal, a resident of Dasiar Chhara exclave in Kurigram district, said: “I heard that the Indian government would provide a flat to everyone who opts for India as part of the rehabilitation package.
“I have no land in the exclave so it is better offer for me to live in India,” he said.
Joynal’s family does not want to go to India, but he has nevertheless decided to leave Bangladesh after hearing rumours of the generous Indian rehabilitation package.
“The Bangladesh government has not declared any compensation for exclave residents who have lived without basic amenities for years,” he said.
He could not offer proof of the package because he says he has neither seen nor heard any official announcement of it by the Indian government.
But that does not deter him. Joynal believes the Indian policy is to conceal the rehabilitation package until the population transfer is completed.
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When asked whether India or Bangladesh had officially declared any rehabilitation packages for exclave residents, the chief of the Bangladesh survey team, Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahman, declined to comment.
He said the details of the exclave exchange agreement had still not been finalised.
A high official in the Bangladesh Home Ministry dismissed the rumours as Indian propaganda.
The officer, who is working with the exclave exchange team, said the terms of the agreement have been kept secret by the Bangladesh government because some conditions appear to be against Bangladesh’s interests.
“The minutes of the agreement still give priority to Indian interests,” he said. “As a result, Bangladesh government officials are strictly forbidden to disclose details of the agreement until it is finalised.”
Mizanur Rahman Mizan, a resident of Dasiar Chhara who works as a farm hand in India, said he heard from an Indian source that those who choose India will receive benefits.
Mizan, also the president of the Exclave United Council, said the offer might have been concealed so that no one leaves Bangladesh.
Moniruddin, 55, a resident of the same exclave and a member of the co-ordination committee to help the survey committee, said he too had heard the rumours.
“Rumours of an Indian government rehabilitation package has confused many people,” he said.
“Many people have decided to opt for India because of the rumours, but we have not received any official announcement confirming that the offer is true.”
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