First phase of land survey starts in 36 ex-enclaves

The first phase of a land survey started yesterday in all 36 former Indian enclaves in Panchagarh to determine ownership of the plots that have been under possession of the enclave people for long.   

District administration sources said the survey will continue till November 15.       

The district administration has formed three separate vigilance committees headed by UNOs, and nine teams for 36 former enclaves of Panchagarh Sadar, Boda and Debiganj upazilas, to conduct the land survey in the former enclaves.    

A total of 18 teams are conducting land survey simultaneously in all 111 former Indian enclaves in Panchagarh, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts, sources said.

Ownership will be given officially to the people of the former enclaves after the survey, examination of land documents and determination of possession, sources said.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin told this correspondent over cellphone that the pre-survey is being conducted as per instruction of the land ministry.

According the 2011 census, the former enclaves in Panchagarh cover an area of around 11,900 acres with a population of 19,043. Of them, 1,035 people belong to the Hindu community.

According to official estimates, there were 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh, including 59 in Lalmonirhat, 36 in Panchagarh, 12 in Kurigram and four in Nilphamari districts, and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in Cooch Behar district of Pashchimbanga in India.