A joint survey has begun in Bangladesh and India to record the choice of nationality of 51,584 people in 162 enclaves in each other's territories ahead of enclave exchange on July 31 next.
According to the Land Boundary Agreement signed recently between the two countries, 75 joint teams have been formed to conduct the survey.
Among the teams, 50 will work in Bangladesh and 25 in Cooch Behar district of India, reported UNB.
The survey includes a joint census, enlistment of land category, taking photograph and filling up of forms mentioning one’s desire which country’s citizenship he/she prefers. The survey will complete on July 16,
Seventy-five joint teams, each with two members -- one each from India and Bangladesh -- will enroll the names of children born after July 2011, when the last joint census was conducted.
In 2011, when the joint census was conducted, there were 14,215 residents in the 51 Bangladeshi enclaves on the Indian side, and 37,379 people in 111 Indian enclaves landlocked in Bangladesh.
UNB Panchagarh correspondent reports: the 10-day survey began in 36 enclaves in Sadar, Boda and Deviganj upazilas in the morning.
Sadar upazila Nirbahi Offcier Laila Muntajeri Dina inaugurated the survey at Garati enclave in sadar upazila.
District administration sources said 18 camps have been set up in 36 enclaves. A 25-member delegation of the West Bengal government reached here today (Monday) to join the survey.
UNB Lalmonirhat correspondent says a 5-member team began the survey at Bashpatari enclave of India situated in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila on Monday morning.
In Kurigram, deputy commission of Kurigram Khan Mohammad Nurul Amin inaugurated the survey at Dsiar Chara enclave in Fulbari uapzila.
The joint surveyor teams collected information enrolled the name of people who were enlisted in 2011 census and those who born after 2011. They will collect applications from people who want to live in Indian part.
