On India-Bangladesh Border, A Strip Of Land Where Laws Of Both Apply

On India-Bangladesh Border, A Strip Of Land Where Laws Of Both Apply



The hall is in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar.

On the border between India and Bangladesh, a rustic which is slowly rising from a interval of violence and turmoil, lies a slim, distinctive strip of land the place folks can transfer freely with out passports and visas, and the place the legal guidelines of each international locations apply. 

The Teen Bigha Hall, in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar, was speculated to be handed over to Bangladesh in 1974. As a part of a treaty between then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Bangladeshi counterpart Mujibur Rahman, India was handy over sovereignty of the Teen Bigha Hall to Bangladesh and get South Berubari in return. This was supposed to facilitate Bangladesh’s entry to the Dahargram-Angarpota enclaves and, for India, to the enclaves close to South Berubari.

Whereas Bangladesh held up its finish of the deal, India could not achieve this as a result of a constitutional modification can be required. A compromise was present in 1992 and the Teen Bigha Hall was leased to Bangladesh.

This has created a singular scenario the place the strip of land sees Bangladeshi residents coming into Indian soil after which returning to their nation with out a visa or passport. Beneath the phrases of the settlement, Bangladeshis passing via the hall usually are not frisked and there’s no checking that takes place. 

There may be additionally an intersection via which site visitors from India and Bangladesh circulation  – east to west for Bangladesh and north to south for India  – and that could be a area the place the legal guidelines of each international locations apply. If an Indian violates any guidelines, Indian regulation will apply to him and, equally, motion will probably be taken below Bangladeshi regulation for a citizen from that nation. 

The strip of land is manned each by the Indian Border Safety Pressure (BSF) and the Border Guard, Bangladesh. The circulation of site visitors is regulated by policemen.

The Bangladeshi enclave that the hall results in has an space of 19 sq. kilometres and is surrounded by India on all sides. 

Bangladesh At A Crossroads

Bangladesh now has an interim authorities, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, after widespread protests pressured Sheikh Hasina to resign as prime minister and flee to India on August 5. 

Over 450 folks have been killed because the newest wave of protests started in June and there have been experiences of minorities being focused. 

Mr Yunus spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and guaranteed him that the interim authorities will shield Hindus and different minority communities in Bangladesh and guarantee their security and safety. 

“Acquired a phone name from Professor Muhammad Yunus. Exchanged views on the prevailing scenario. Reiterated India’s help for a democratic, secure, peaceable and progressive Bangladesh. He assured safety, security and safety of Hindus and all minorities in Bangladesh,” PM Modi stated in a submit on X. 





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