AGARTALA, September 12 (TIWN): Just after the India and its counterpart Bangladesh agreed to exchange enclave in state’s Muhurichar as per the latest agreement the Tripura Left front government in view of a major threat to the Belonia town in South Tripura District, mulled the centre to take up a fresh survey of land following the 2011 protocol prior to the exchange of enclaves.

“We agreed to the fact that though the joint survey was taken up during the year 2011 but the course of the river at Muhurichar is now changed in view of which a fresh survey was taken up in the recent past,” adding Revenue Minister Badal Choudhury said that yet if tthe latest survey is being followed before the exchange of enclaves than the security of Belonia town would be in stake.

Choudhury said, "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.”

He said that an inconclusive meeting was held in Dhaka last month and another meeting would be held in New Delhi soon to resolve the dispute of ‘Muhurichar’ amicably.

 “Of the 63 acres Muhurichar area, we have no objection to give 36 acres of land to Bangladesh after conducting a perfect demarcation of the areas,” Choudhury said.

According to the PWD minister, there are three separate cremation grounds of three religious communities existing in the Muhurichar area for several decades.

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. 

India handed over 110 of the 111 enclaves to Bangladesh and received 51 enclaves in return on July 31. 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.