India, Bangladesh swap tens of disputed islets
India and Bangladesh have swapped tens of parcels of land previously claimed by both countries, ending one of the world’s most stubborn border disputes, which has left tens of thousands stateless.
A total of 162 landlocked tiny islands of land -- 111 in Bangladesh and 51 in India -- were officially handed over to the countries surrounding them on Saturday, with their residents being able to choose between staying and changing their nationalities or moving.
Some 50,000 residents of these enclaves will finally gain a proper identity after having remained virtually stateless for over six decades.
The landmark accord signed between the two countries in June of this year came into effect at midnight local time on Friday.
Jubilant crowds numbering in the thousands of people from both countries erupted in cheers of celebration for their new citizenship, according to local media reports.
“We have been in dark for 68 years,” Said Russel Khandaker, a 20-year-old man in the Dashiar Chhara enclave, which belonged to India but has now became part of Bangladesh, adding, “We’ve finally seen the light.”
Thousands of people defied monsoon rains to celebrate, marching through rain-soaked muddy roads singing the Bangladeshi national anthem. Others lit 68 candles to mark the end of what they called “68 years of endless pain and indignity.”
Officials from Bangladesh and India hoisted their respective national flags over their new territories on Saturday morning in formal ceremonies.
The enclaves date back to ownership arrangements made centuries ago between local princes.
The parcels of land survived partition of the subcontinent in 1947 after British rule and Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence with Pakistan.
Bangladesh endorsed a deal with India in 1974 in a bid to dissolve the pockets, but India only signed a final agreement in June when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dhaka earlier this year.
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