PM for smooth transfer of enclaves

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the police, border guards and Awami League leaders to make sure that people of the enclaves don't face any trouble or harassment during the execution of the Land Boundary Agreement.

She was holding a videoconference with the district administrations and local representatives of Panchagarh and Tangail at the conference room of the Cabinet Division.

Referring to the passage of the constitution amendment bill on the LBA by Indian parliament, the premier said had her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman been alive, the deal would have been implemented much earlier.

People of the enclaves have been passing their days in hardship for decades, said Hasina. "They have already spent most of their lifetime very miserably. Now it's our duty to support their overall development."

She said the authorities concerned have been directed to build roads, schools, hospitals and houses for the homeless, and to ensure healthcare, drinking water and income-generating activities for the enclave people.

The PM asked the district administrations, law enforcement agencies, border guards and AL leaders to visit the enclaves to be taken from Indian possession and keep in touch with the people to resolve their problems.

The LBA has increased the government's responsibility for the welfare of the people, which should be rightly borne by the government, she mentioned, adding that proper execution of the deal was important to boost ties with India.

District administrations of Thakurgaon, Kishoreganj, Gaibandha and Jamalpur and divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Rangpur were also connected through the videoconference.

CABINET MEETING

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, the PM hoped propaganda about the LBA would come to an end with the passage of the bill by Indian parliament.

"I had to hear many unpleasant remarks about the Land Boundary Agreement as my father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had signed it," she told her cabinet colleagues.

"But as the daughter of Bangabandhu, today I am happy and satisfied with the start of the implementation of the deal," a minister told The Daily Star quoting the PM as saying. 

Blasting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, a minister told the meeting that Khaleda praised the Indian government for passing the LBA bill, but not the Bangladesh government. Hasina in reply said Khaleda and her party leaders used to term the LBA a "subservient agreement" and so they couldn't thank the AL government.    

Describing the passage of the LBA bill as a big diplomatic achievement for Bangladesh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shariar Alam praised the PM for her success and placed a thanks-giving motion before the cabinet.    

The meeting unanimously accepted the proposal.

The PM said apart from negotiating its own interests with India, Bangladesh has taken forward the four-nation motor vehicle agreement which also involves India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Some cabinet members suggested that the government send a high level delegation to India to thank the Narendra Modi government.