Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi yesterday said the temporary boundary pillars installed on the 67-year-old disputed Muhuri Char between Bangladesh and India would remain unchanged.
He said the permanent boundary pillars, demarcating the long-disputed Char in Parshuram upazila of Feni district, would soon be installed once the Indian parliament clears the Land Boundary Agreement.
“This boundary is finalised. As per the agreement, permanent boundary pillars will be installed,” Gowher Rizvi said.
The adviser made the remark while visiting Muhuri Char which had triggered a dispute between Bangladesh and India over the control of more than 92.14 acres of land since 1979 as the issue remained unsettled even after 1974.
The deal was signed between then Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his Indian counterpart Indira Gandhi in 1974.
Border Guard Bangladesh, Battalion 4 Captain Lt Col Mahmudunnabi described the dispute over Muhuri Char and subsequent achievements at that time.
On January 15, temporary boundary pillars were erected on Muhuri Char bringing relief and joy among the locals. However, the locals have been demanding permanent boundary pillars soon after the installation of the temporary ones.
If the temporary pillars remain unchanged, Bangladesh will have control over 70 acres of land out of total 92.14 acres of land.
Deputy Commissioner of Feni M Humayun Kabir Khondkar, acting Police Super Saiful Haque and other government officials were present at the visit.
