AGARTALA, Oct 1 (TIWN): Revenue Minister Badal Choudhury on Wednesday addressing a press meet at Civil Secretariat stretching over the issue of Muhuri Char said, state govt. has demanded from the Centre to resolve the 50 years old dispute over Muhuri Char and to re-demarcate Indo-Bangla border according to the protocol of deal between former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in 2011, where it was mentioned that in total 36.665 acres land will go to Bangladesh. Choudhry was addressing the media and said, “After the India-Bangladesh deal was done in 2011, it was in January 2015, when a team from Survey of India came here and without informing the administrative, just laid down the pillars which doesn’t match with the protocols directed in 2011’s deal”.Choudhury also said that amongst the 36.665 Acre lands in total 15.65 acre of land has been declared as personal property of public, the cost of the land is Rs. 40.77 crore. But the owners also agreed to release the land in exchange of fair compensation. But if they do not get the compensation money, then it will be problematic to handover the land to neighboring country Bangladesh. Revenue Minister also added, he has sent letter to Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj & Minister of Home Affairs of India Rajnath Singh asking to re-demarcate Belonia Indo-Bangla Border as per 2011’s protocol.

The issue of Indo-Bangla border is 50 years old issue with Pakistan (presently Bangladesh). In 1974 also Indira-Mujib had dealt to make the border of Indo-Bangla, which will be stretched in the middle of Muhuri river. After that no initiates were taken since 2011, when Monmohon-Hasina had signed the deal, said Choudhury on Wednesday and mentioned that state govt. wants the re-demarcation of land according to 2011’s deal.

However, it’s to be mentioned here that earlier talking to TIWN, Minister Badal Choudhury placed the same issue that state govt. fully supports former PM of India Manmohan Singh’s deal with Hasina. “What Hasina and Manmohan Singh had agreed in 2011, Tripura Govt agree with that agreement”, said Choudhury. 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”, he added.

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.