In a U-turn that has paved the way for implementation of the long-pending Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal Thursday declared its support to the accord with party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister saying she wants a “speedy solution to the enclave problem”.

TMC had earlier torn the official papers relating to Land Boundary Agreement Ratification Bill brought by the UPA II government in Rajya Sabha in September 2013.

“A solution is being worked out for border enclaves. There will be a diplomatic agreement,” Mamata said addressing a public rally at Dinhata in Coochbehar district close to Bangladeshi enclaves. The rally saw a large number of enclave dwellers in attendance.

Mamata, however, said that only implementation of the LBA will not do. “A proper rehabilitation package will have to be worked out. We want a speedy solution. We want the enclave dwellers to have all the rights,” she said.

“The two Bengals had intimate relations. Insha-allah, Bengal will be happy, Bangaldesh will be happy,” she while urging the people not to be provoked by any communal instigation. “Some people will come to convey you the wrong messages. You must thwart them,” she added.

A TMC MP, who is considered close to Mamata, said the party’s change in stand on LBA came after Didi realised its “greater national interest”. This was first conveyed to an eight-member Awami League MPs’ delegation that came to Kolkata and met Mamata recently. Mamata wanted to dispel the air of “ill feeling” generated between the two countries over the issue.

AASU, AGP hold protests

GUWAHATI: PM Narendra Modi and government’s endorsement of the previous UPA government’s agreement with Bangladesh to transfer certain portions of land along the border continued to evoke protests in Assam, with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) staging separate demonstrations here Thursday.

While the AASU took out torch-light protest marches in all district towns condemning Modi’s announcement to support the UPA’s land transfer deal with Bangladesh, the AGP also took out protest rallies asking the BJP-led government not to hand over one inch of Assam land to Bangladesh. ENS

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