AGARTALA / BELONIA, September 12 (TIWN): Even after LBA agreement between two countries in presence of Prime Ministers Modi and Hasina in 2015, decades old dispute continues over Muhuri Char bordering Bangladesh at Belonia. PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury while talking to TIWN on Saturday said, “It has become a lengthy dispute between India and Bangladesh which need to be resolved fast”. “What Bangladesh is demanding will be practically a huge loss for the sub-division of Belonia, because most of Belonia will become insecure and unrest due to loss of land ”. Badal Chowdhury also demanded re-demarcation land according to 2011’s Indo-Bangla deal and said, “What Hasina and Manmohan Singh had agreed in 2011, Tripura Govt agree with that agreement. According to the agreement from the Shamsan area to Ballamukha if the border is made, the fencing can be erected along the middle of Muhuri river (of course after proper demarcation), which was a healthy deal , so State Govt. demands for re-demarcation of land”. Badal further said that this issue needs to be solved fast as its risking public security in Belonia. “Belonia is often attacked by robbers, smugglers due to lack of proper security in border areas, so the fencing needs to be done fast. However, a meeting will be held soon at New Delhi to resolve the dispute over Muhuri Char”, added Chowdhury.

Although a meeting was held between India and Bangladesh headed by  Ministry of External Affairs's Joint Secretary Sripriya Ranganathan on Indian side and Bangladesh team by Home Affairs Ministry's Addl. Secretary  Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem, but no solution has yet come.

It was decided during the meet that both the counties, would once again conduct joint survey in the 63 acres in Muhurichar.

 “We do not agree 1978’s deal, as it will cause a loss for Belonia, although Bangladesh prefers sticking to it”, alleged Chowdhury.

It’s to be mentioned that Muhurichar has become resident for around 300 families. They are living there for more than 125 years, whether record says 125 Indian farmers are cultivating on those lands, since before 1971. Moreover, there are three cremation grounds of three different religions existing in the Muhurichar area for several decades. Since partition of India in 1947, the Muhuri river along Muhurichar was considered a natural boundary for both nations.

Over 84 percent of Tripura's total border is international border - 856 km while the northeastern state shares a 53 km long border with Assam and a 109 km long border with Mizoram.

However, it’s to be mentioned that although Tripura joined with India before 66 years, still Indo-Bangla disputes over land is still unsolved. From Sonamura to Kailashahar and also in South Tripura everywhere the issues are unsolved, which would decide the future of many people.

"Moreover, this unsloved issues are raising questions on the safety of people, who are living in border areas", said PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury.