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“No 7 Garati Enclaves, Fokarkania Madrasa,” the signboard outside the Muslim house of learning reads. Garati is one of the 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh that will become a part of Bangladesh from August 1.
Just below the sign are two posters, one-and-half-feet long, expressing heartfelt gratitude to Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ending the human tragedy at enclaves.
They describe the two leaders as “symbols of humanity” ( Biswa Manabotar Prateek ). Indeed, Modi is seen as a demigod in the enclaves in Bangladesh for implementing the Land Boundary Agreement, which was signed in 1974 between the first Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Mujibur Rahman, and Indira Gandhi.
“We could never imagine Modi would be this quick in implementing a deal that was hanging fire for so long,” says Abraham Lincoln, a lawyer and a senior functionary of the ruling Awami League in Kurigram district. “Enclaves will forever remain indebted to Modi,” says Mofijar, a rich farmer and Awami League functionary from Garati, who has been a leading force in the village. In terms of votes, the benefit will go to Hasina.
However, in the Bangladeshi enclaves in India, it is all Didi. Travel across the 51 enclaves of Bangladesh that will become India from Saturday, there is no acknowledgement of Modi or Hasina. It’s all Mamata Banerjee.
“For development, we need to side with the power,” says Abul Hosen another rich farmer and a leading light of Poatur Kuthi, one of the largest Bangladeshi enclaves in India.
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