LBA: No info from India on Assam’s exclusion

Diplomatic Correspondent: India did not send any official confirmation on exclusion of Assam from long-awaited Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh.

M Shahriar Alam, state minister for foreign affairs, made the disclosure to journalists.

“India didn’t contact with Bangladesh on the matter. The neighbouring country did not send any proposal. If they propose to implement the Land Boundary Agreement excluding Assam, then we will consider the matter,” he said.

M Shahriar Alam`s remarks came after reports emanating from New Delhi that the BJP-led government at the Centre was keen to exclude Assam from implementation of LBA.

The LBA bill is likely to be produced in Rajya Sabha on May 5, first day of the last week of Budget session.

Meanwhile Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to exclude Assam from LBA.

The LBA involves exchange of 161 adversely-held enclaves by India and Bangladesh and consequent redrawing of boundaries between West Bengal and Bangladesh.

There are an estimated 50,000 people living in these enclaves and they have been given the option to choose one of the two countries to throw their lot with.

risingbd/DHAKA/May 5, 2015/Robiul/Augustin Sujan