The Indian High Commission has started distributing special travel passes to 195 residents from the former enclaves in Lalmonirhat who applied for settling across the border as Indian citizens.
The arrangement would allow the special pass-holders to easily carry their belongings across the border throughout September to November, but they would have to permanently relocate by the end of November.
Indian High Commission’s Senior Security Officer Anu Rag Burma and Patgram upazila Assistant Commissioner (land) TMA Momin handed travel passes yesterday to 70 of the 133 applicants from the upazila. The rest of the applicants are scheduled to receive their passes today.
“They can use the passes for crossing the border many times during September to November, but they must complete their relocation between November 1 and 30 through the Burimari-Chengrabandha immigration offices. There will be no restrictions against the pass-holders taking their moveable assets along with them,” said Patgram upazila official TMA Momin.
Meanwhile, a further 62 applicants from the Hatibandha upazila also picked up their passes yesterday. Indian High Commission’s official Avijit Mittra and Hatibandha upazila Project Implementation Officer Ferdous Ahmmed distributed the passes.
“Sixty-two men and women earlier sought Indian citizenship during a joint survey during July 6 to 16. They have all collected their travel passes that will let them relocate to India in November,” said Hatibandha upazila official Ferdous.
Those resettling across the border are supposed to receive housing facilities and financial assistance from the Indian government once their relocation is completed. Before leaving Bangladesh, these people would also be able to sell or transfer their immovable assets by applying to the Lalmonirhat deputy commissioner.
On July 31 midnight, Bangladesh and India exchanged 162 enclaves they shared between themselves for the past 68 years. The residents of those enclaves were given a choice to select which nationality they would adopt.
While most people inside Bangladeshi territory decided to stay where they lived, many others opted for relocation.