INTERNATIONAL BORDER DISPUTES & ADVERSE-POSSESSIONS OF
INDIA-BANGLADESH INTERNATIONAL BORDER
WHITE PAPER OF LAND DISPUTE & LAND SWAP DEAL BETWEEN INDIA
& BANGLADESHSir Cyril Radcliff, the English gentleman, who
headed the boundary commission during the partition of India in the
year, 1947, drew a straight line on a topographic map. As a result
of this, hills, rivers, forests, human habitations,
agricultural-fields, etcetera of India and Pakistan tragically
divided. It affected vastly in Eastern Indian region. That is,
especially in India Bangladesh International Border or India
Bangladesh International Boundary (IBIB). Earlier Bangladesh was a
part of East Bengal (that is, locally called Purbo Bango or Purbo
Bangla, which later renamed as East Pakistan, locally called Purbo
Pakistan [of West Pakistan, known as Poshchim Pakistan] of present
Pakistan State) and then Bangladesh after 16th December, 1971.
Still, both the above nations have not done enough to get rid of
the ghost of Radcliff. It is fact that the international boundary
demarcation in the Indian Subcontinent cuts across communities and
tribes. The three major river systems, the Indus, the Ganges and
the Brahmaputra by cutting across the boundary-lines of India,
Pakistan and Bangladesh have further exacerbated the tension
between them resulting from disputes over the share of water also.
This particular above international border shares with /touches the
Indian states Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and West Bengal.
Though, apart from that there are a number of disputes and problems
on the India Bangladesh International Border (IBIB), which are
still existed. These have occurred mainly due to the very nature of
alignment of the international boundary, thickly populated area
close to the zero-line of the said international border,
nondemarcation of a portion of the international boundary (of about
05.974-kilometre), non ratification of the international boundary
and phenomenons like Adverse Possession, Changing of the Course of
River, Char (that is, River Island) land and Enclave, etcetera.
Although, the interesting fact is that there are also some places
in Indo-Bangla International Boundary, whose occupants are
Bangladeshi but are usually govern by the Government of India and
vice-versa. For a unique example : Pyrdiwah (locally known as,
Padua, under East Khashi Hills district of Meghalaya State in
Eastern India) is an adverse possession of India in Bangladesh,
while on the other hand, Boraibari is an adverse-possession of
Bangladesh in India. Both hamlets are being positioned on
Indo-Bangla international border. In the context IBIB, officials of
the one of the elite forces of India, Border Security Force of
India (BSFI) revealed, There are various places along the
demarcated India-Bangladesh International Border (which is called
De-jure border), where the territory falls on the Indian part
(which is actually the part of India) but under the occupation of
Bangladesh and vice-versa. De-facto border does not coincide with
the De-jure boundary. The places have fallen between De-jure and
De-facto border is called adverse possessions (see
sketch).Bangladesh Territory Under Adverse Possession of India
BANGLADESH
SHIB SHANKAR CHATTERJEE
DE -JURE BDY DE -FACTO BDY
INDIA
As stated by Article 02, 03 and 05 of the India-Bangladesh
International (demarcation of) Land Boundary Pact-1974, the lands
held by adversely will have to be changed after the above noted
pact (that is, international boundary agreement) has not only been
okayed and signed (that is, admissible for both the above nations)
but also aforesaid international border strip maps are drawn or
made properly. Repetition of the condition, because, there have
been several examples, where the peoples of Bangladesh and the
frontier guard Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB), which was earlier
known as Bangladesh Defence Rifles or Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) also
have attempted to take control by force of adverse possessions,
which are held by us. But, it is fact that on the other hand, in
consent of the international border pact between the above two
nations, we havent meddled with our land held adversely by
Bangladesh. It is fact that the most important, critical and
confusing problems of Indo-Bangla international boundary was the
presence of adverse possessions. The plots of land that lie in the
aforesaid international border have been cultivating by the
peoples, who have been dwelling there since pre-independent period.
Therefore, it is very difficult to acquire those stretches of land
and build International Barbed Wire Border Fence (IBWBF) and
International Border Road (IBR) to prevent incessant illegal
influx, smuggling, religious fundamental activities, anti-Indian
activities and insurgency. These things are visible in many places
of Assam, West-Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya
(Sketch : Border Security Force of India [BSFI], 1999)
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States of India. But, in these connections, Bangladesh
Government referred the accord of 1975 to maintain status quo on
adverse possessions and these small gaps, where IBWBF and IBR are
unable to build due to insufficient of land (which is below
150-yards or 137-metres), mentioned one of the officials of the
Indian National Building Construction Corporation Limited (NBCCL),
which is engaged to make the IBWBF and IBR in IBIB at Karimganj
district of Indian State, Assam. Supporting the fact, another
organization Indian National Project Construction Corporation
Limited (NPCCL), which is also involved to construct the IBWBF and
IBR in IBIB, pointed out, Therefore, erecting IBWBF and building
IBR along the said particular international border areas are
difficult problems. It could not be possible to make the IBWBF
either depriving the Indian peoples of their respective lands or
extricating the Bangladeshi nationals from the illegally occupied
Indian lands, which is under adverse possessions of Bangladesh. If
it happens, then it can create nothing but bloody tussle. However,
in this matter, BSFI officials further stated, We will carry out
our duties over coming all the problems. So, that our (that is,
Indian) farmers could be allowed to do their duties in their
respective plots of land, that is, passages in adverse possessions
(at their own risk) through manned International Border Gate
(IBG)s. But, the matter was not as simple, easy and clear, as it
seems to be. Sentiment of the inhabitants was also a factor to be
reckoned here. The peoples were residing on the aforesaid
international border (Khashi Tribe people in Meghalaya State,
Assamese people in Assam State and Bengali people in West Bengal
and Tripura States) desire to maintain their traditional life as
they did in the past. When the total length of the aforesaid
international border was measured all together, at that time the
total amount of adversely held areas by Bangladesh and India was
approximately 03,017.160-acres and 02,587.250-acres respectively
(however, in this context, a list of Adverse Possessions of above
both countries are given below in TableI & Table-II). That
means, there were about 52-numbers of piece of land existed, which
practically belongs to Bangladesh but actually were in adverse
possession of India, while on the other hand, therere about
49-numbers of piece of land, which were practically belonging to
India but actually under the adverse possession of Bangladesh.
Though, these were small pieces of land varying in size from
05-acres to 500-acres, which was created due to geographical,
historical, political, social, cultural or other reasons, but
remain in the possession of one country even through by physical
demarcation they should be handed over to the other, said experts.
On the other hand, another section of socio-political observers
stated, India seized 47-numbers of tract of Bangladeshi land in
adverse possession, while Bangladesh grabbed 43-numbers of tract of
land, which belongs to India. That means, around 02,749.15-acres of
land was being in the adverse possession of Bangladesh (in other
words, enclaves surrounded by Bangladeshi territory), while India
possessed around 02,922.25-acres of land that lie in the
adverse-possession. But, Except Adverse Possessions and 03-numbers
of major disputed area (Dispute of Daikhata in Berubari Area under
Indian State-West Bengal [while the opposite side Nilphamari
district of Bangladesh], Dispute of Lathitilla and Dumabaroi {which
is locally called Dumabari} Area under Indian State-Assam [while
the opposite side Maulvibazar district of Bangladesh] and Dispute
of Muhuri River under Indian State-Tripura [while the opposite side
Feni district of Bangladesh], with a total 05.974-kilometre out of)
04,096.70-kilometres international border between these two
countries is clearly defined, pointed out by the
analysts.TABLE-I
AT A GLANCE
MAJOR DISPUTED AREAS BETWEEN INDIA & BANGLADESHSERIAL
NUMBER
DISPUTED LAND AREAS
INDIAN SIDE
BANGLADESH SIDE
AREA (In Kilometre)
01. 02. 03. Total
DAIKHATA-BERUBARI
LATHITILLA-DUMABAROI MUHURI RIVER ISLAND Disputed Areas
Coochbehar District of West Bengal State Karimganj District of
Assam State South Tripura District of Tripura State
Nilphanmari District Maulvibazar District Feni District
01.500 02.874 01.600/02.00005.974/06.374
(Source : Border Security Force Of India [BSFI], 05th September,
2011)
Earlier, India and Pakistan had already demarcated 03,000
kilometers out of 04,000 kilometers of international boundary in
the east before 1971. But, after three years (that is, 1971), an
agreement was reached between the then Prime Minister (PM) of
India, Indira Gandhi and the then PM of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibar
Rahman in the year, 1974 (which is popularly known as Indira-Muijib
Pact, 16th May, 1974). The aforesaid 1974 accord between the
Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh and the Government
of the Republic of India concerning the demarcation of the
international land boundary between Bangladesh and India and
related matters. Out of 04,096.70-kilometers international border
area between the above two nations, India and Bangladesh share
02,979.70-kilometres International Land Border (ILB) and
01,116-kilometres International Riverine Boundary (IRB), while both
countries share around 54-numbers of river. Presently, almost above
two
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countries finished the work of demarcation of
04,096.70-kilometers international border area, except
05.974kilometre (Indian State claimed)/06.374-kilometre (Bangladesh
State claimed), which were the chief spots during Partition-1947,
Indo-Pak War-1965 as well as the Liberation War-1971 between above
two states, India and Pakistan. Not only that above these
particular 05.974-kilometre stretches of ILB and IRB territories
were used as corridor for imparting training to Mukti-Bahini (that
is, Liberation Force) of Bangladesh (under the leadership of Sheikh
Mujibar Rahman) to liberate their country Bangladesh during the
Freedom Movement of Bangladesh, 1971. After Bangladesh had
liberated herself from the cruel clutches of Pakistan with the help
of India (that is, Indian Army) and the people of both the nations,
India annulled few pacts. These pacts were India-Pakistan Agreement
10th September, 1958, Indo-Pak Treaty 23rd October, 1959 and
India-Pakistan Accord 11th January, 1960, which revealed about the
settlement on certain international boundary disputes between the
Government of India and the Government of Pakistan relating to the
boundaries of the Indian States Assam, West Bengal, Tripura (which
was earlier recognized as Indian Union Territory) with former East
Pakistan (which was part of present Pakistan, but,
presently-Bangladesh) and Punjab with earlier West Pakistan (but
presentlyPakistan). This intention for imperfect demarcation was
short lived for after independence, the Government of Bangladesh
turned down the same. The Government of India expressed that the
desire for territorial exchange would be only fulfilled, when the
entire aforesaid international boundary will properly demarcated.
Earlier in 1958, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then PM of India took
initiative to demarcate the boundaryline between India and Pakistan
without retardation and so didnt wait for the governmental process
to be over in the eastern part of India. As a result, many
important places or spots were not given proper importance at the
time of making the list, which were termed as the places of Adverse
Possession. But, Pundit Nehrus desire for demarcating boundary was
at last come into force, when Indian Parliament in the year, 1960
passed the Indian Constitutional Amendment Bill with two-third
majority, which helped both India and Pakistan to finalise the
international boundary in the West. In the East also the same thing
was going to be happened with Pakistan, but unfortunately after the
Pakistan lost the battle (that is, War of Liberation, 1971) with
India and the creation of a new state Bangladesh under the
leadership of Sheikh Mujibar Rahman. With the birth of this new
state or country, Bangladesh on 16th December, 1971, the discussion
for making permanent international boundary set forth in the year,
1972. The famous Indo-Bangla Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation
& Peace, 19th March, 1972, between the two countries was
clearing the path for the resolution of all border disputes and
exchanging of lands that fell in each others territory. However,
during the annual meetings of Indias frontier international border
guard BSFI and the Bangladeshs frontier international border force
BGB at the level of Director-general, the Bangladesh Government was
repeatedly raising this issue. But, the Indias stand was that the
BSFI is not competent to take any action, as it was basically a
political decision or matter. On the other hand, the BGB had been
insisting on that they had the mandate from their government to
raise this issue with India. However, Article 4 of the Indo-Bangla
(demarcation of land boundary) Accord, 1974, connected the two
sides to maintain peace and tranquility on the aforesaid
international border and eschewed the use of force for making any
changes at the said boundary. Though, in December, 2000, foreign
secretary-level talks held in the capital of India, New Delhi took
the decision to set up two new Joint working Groups (JWGs). Firstly
: To demarcate the contentions 05.974 kilometre international
borderline, which remains disputed and Secondly : To go into the
question of exchange of territories lies in adverse-possession and
enclave (that is, locally called - Chhitmahal). But, ideally, this
JWGs a multidisciplinary task force comprising not only diplomats
but also officials of the border security agencies, irrigation
experts and people specialising in repatriated of disputed
settlement. Although, India had already proposed to Bangladesh in
December, 1999, when the then Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh,
Shafi Sami, came to India to discuss for setting up of a JWG about
the above international border, while it was finalised in February,
2001. However, the discussion of making new map for the area having
controversy was set about. It was regarding to offer options to
those Indian (family and people)s of Bangladesh (whore living in
the Bangladeshi soil in Adverse Possessions and Enclaves) either to
stay in Bangladesh or to return to India; even, those peoples would
also be allowed to carryout agriculture activities too. On the
other hand, similar facilities or provisions were also given to
Bangladeshis, whore living in Indian soil (that is, Adverse
Possessions and Enclaves). Further, there was another option to
remake Radcliff line to enable the adverse-possession areas was
included in either of the countries in a give and take mutual
agreement of the said two states and perhaps, this was going to
take place between the aforesaid two nations by 06th September,
2011 to 07th September, 2011 at the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka,
during the visit of Indian PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh. Nevertheless,
scholars claimed, The chief cause of the displeasure between the
two states regarding adverse-possession was in 1947, when Sir Cyril
Radcliff, the British Engineer, who was apportioned and assigned
the work of demarcating the boundary between the two new
independent countries India and Pakistan, which as a result of
this, (his) quick injudicious task of legacy left behind a clash
between two states till today to pay a heavy price. But, presently,
the main agreement relating to the India-Bangladesh international
border was the IndiraMuijib Pact, 16th May, 1974, between the India
and Bangladesh concerning the demarcation of the international
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land boundary between Bangladesh and India and related matters.
Article 02 of this pact envisaged that all the areas in adverse
possession of each country would be measured and demarcated at the
earliest.TABLE-II
STATE & DISTRICT WISE LIST OF ADVERSE POSSESSIONS UNDER
BANGLADESH & INDIA
AT A GLANCE
BANGLADESH LAND UNDER ADVERSE POSSESSION OF INDIASERIAL NUMBER
01. 02. 03. 04. 05. TOTAL LOCATION PALANGIR HAT CHANDAN NAGAR DURGA
NAGAR MARANDIPARA BELCHERA TRIPURA STATE (INDIA) INTERNATIONAL
BORDER PILLAR NUMBER 1995/3-S to 1995/4-S 1904 to 1905 1963/8-S to
1963/21-S 1964/13-S to 1964/17-S 1969/1-S to 1969/3-S 1968/6-S to
1968/8-S 1995/3-S to 1968/8-S INTERNATIONAL BORDER PILLAR NUMBER
1354/2-S to 1355 1354/2-S to 1355 INTERNATIONAL BORDER PILLAR
NUMBER 1264/4-S to 1265/4-S 1265/6-S to 1265/9-S 1266/11-S to
1267/2-S 1267/6-T to 1268/4-S 1270 to 1271/7-S 1275/1-S to 1275/9-S
1277/2-S to 1277/4-S 1277/9-S to 1277/14-S 1278/1-S to 1279/3-S
1280/4-S to 1282 1282 to 1282/2-S 1283 to 1283/4-S 1284/1-S to
1285/2-T 1264/4-S to 1285/2-T INTERNATIONAL BORDER PILLAR NUMBER
378/2-S to 379/M 380/M to 382/2-S Near IBPN 386/1-S 387/3-S to
388/1-S Near IBPN 392/3-S Near IBPN 388/7-S 402/3-S to 404/4-S Near
IBPN 772/MP IBPs not existing 753/6-S to 754/2-S 769/M to 772/M
61/3-S to 61/5-S 81/M to 82/12-R 80/12-R to 81/M 78/M to 80/12-R
242/20-R to 243/M 243/M to 243/8-S 243/2-S to 243/8-S 240/9-R to
242/20-R 240/9-R to 242/M TOTAL AREA (In Acres) 000.350 140.050
020.000 001.500 161.900 TOTAL AREA (In Acres) 007.000 007.000 TOTAL
AREA (In Acres) 011.000 011.000 014.000 320.000 003.600 010.000
007.300 041.800 042.900 013.800 021.100 053.300 549.800 DISTRICT
CACHAR DISTRICTTRIPURA (WEST)
DHALAITRIPURA (WEST) TRIPURA (WEST) TRIPURA (WEST)
SERIAL NUMBER 06. TOTAL
LOCATION HARI NAGAR ASSAM STATE (INDIA)
SERIAL NUMBER 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
TOTAL
LOCATION LYNGKHAT-I LYNGKHAT LYNGKHAT-II KURINALA PYRDWAH
TAMABIL NALJURI-I NALJURI-II NALJURI-III RONGKHONG AMKI AMJALONG
MUKTAPUR MEGHALAYA STATE (INDIA)
DISTRICT KHASI HILLS (EAST) KHASI HILLS (EAST) KHASI HILLS
(EAST) KHASI HILLS (WEST) JAINTIA HILLS JAINTIA HILLS JAINTIA HILLS
JAINTIA HILLS JAINTIA HILLS JAINTIA HILLS JAINTIA HILLS JAINTIA
HILLS
SERIAL NUMBER 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.
LOCATION CHAKLAGARH BARABILLA SATVITA BARAGHARIA DANGAPARA
HATHKHOLA KUMARGACH MANIKGANJ CHILLAHATI BERUBARI (KHUDIPARA)
SATKURA NONAGANJ CHANDPUR BIJOYPUR/HALDARPARA GEDE BATTALI SAPMARI
LAXMINARAYAN PUR KHUTADAH/BATTOLI HARIPAL
TOTAL AREA (In Acres) 060.000 016.000 060.000 020.000 005.000
002.000 012.500 074.440 454.440 028.930 628.900 020.000 005.600
002.150 021.610 005.730 001.070 024.190 004.480 008.980
DISTRICT DINAJPUR DINAJPUR DINAJPUR DINAJPUR DINAJPUR DINAJPUR
DINAJPUR JALPAIGURI JALPAIGURI JALPAIGURI JALPAIGURI NADIA NADIA
NADIA NADIA MALDA MALDA MALDA MALDA MALDA
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39. TOTAL
SONEGHAT WEST BENGAL STATE (INDIA)
240/M to 240/9-R 239/13-R to 240/M 378/2-S to 240/MTABLE-III
001.050 01,437.600
MALDA
(Source : Border Security Force of India [BSFI], 1999)
AT A GLANCE
STATE & DISTRICT WISE LIST OF ADVERSE POSSESSIONS UNDER
BANGLADESH & INDIA
INDIAN LAND UNDER ADVERSE POSSESSION OF BANGLADESHSERIAL NUMBER
01. TOTAL LOCATION RANGAMURA TRIPURA STATE (INDIA) INTERNATIONAL
BORDER PILLAR NUMBER 1996/42 to 1996/43-S 1996/42 to 1996/43-S
TOTAL AREA (In Acres) 000.170 000.170 DISTRICT TRIPURA (WEST)
SERIAL NUMBER 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13.
14. 15. TOTAL
LOCATION AKASHMALIK (NATHPUR) RASULPUR (PIRA NAGAR)
KASHKHANAKPUR (LIVERPOTTA) BIABILL (LIVERPOTTA) MIAGUL
(CHANDINAGAR) SER ALI PUR & UTTARKUL (HARINAGAR) BERATHAKURI
(HARINAGAR) PALLATHAL (MADANPUR) BORAIBARI LUBHACHERA BALICHERA
(LUBHACHERA) NUTANCHERA (NUNCHERA) LAHILLING BORO HILLS ASSAM STATE
(INDIA)
INTERNATIONAL BORDER PILLAR NUMBER 1341/2-S to 1341/7-S 1345/2-S
to 1347 1347/11-S to 1348/5-S 1350/9-T to 1351 1352/7-S to 1352/9-S
1352/10-S to 1352/12-S 1352/16-S to 1353 1353 to 1354 1354/M to
1354/7-S 1369 to 1372 1066/3-S to 1067/5-S 1318/1-S to 1318/2-S
1315/15-S to 1316/3-S 1316/6-S to 1316/13-S 1317 to 1317/7-S
1269/40-T to 1270 1341/7-S to 1269/40-T INTERNATIONAL BORDER PILLAR
NUMBER 372/6-S to 372/7-S 382/1-S to 382/2-S 383/M to 385/M Near
IBP Number 381 402/M to 402/3-S IBPs not available IBPs not
available 929/9-S to 929/10-S 929/10-S to 930/M 930/1-S to
---------154/5-S to 157/1-S 152/2-S to 153/1-S 150/4-S to 151/1-S
149/3-S to 150/M 147/5-S to 147/6-S 147/7-S to 148/M 242/7-R to
242/10-R 372/7-S to 242/7-R
TOTAL AREA (In Acres) 007.400 009.300 017.600 005.500 007.100
110.900 019.600 384.510 191.440 009.600 004.400 007.400 016.200
000.150 791.100
DISTRICT CACHAR CACHAR CACHAR CACHAR CACHAR CACHAR CACHAR
KARIMGANJ DHUBRI CACHAR CACHAR CACHAR CACHARKHASHI HILLS(EAST)
SERIAL NUMBER 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.
28. 29. 30. 31. 32. TOTAL
LOCATION SRIPUR SONAMATI BELAGACHI DINGAPARA KUMARGACH AMAR
KHANA BARASHASHI NARAYANGANJ KHARIJA HARIDAS HARIDAS KUMAR KARIMPUR
CHARLAND (MADHUGURI) NARSHARIPARA BALIASHISHA NEW SIKARPUR NEW
SIKARPUR CHARBORIAPUR KHUTADAH WEST BENGAL STATE (INDIA)
TOTAL AREA (In Acres) 093.000 021.000 017.000 001.740 004.500
063.150 023.700 001.500 01, BIGHA 02, BIGHA 01,376.880 384.000
001.100 033.000 017.360 018.300 001.000 02,062.230
DISTRICT DINAJPUR DINAJPUR DINAJPUR DINAJPUR DINAJPUR JALPAIGURI
JALPAIGURI COOCHBEHAR COOCHBEHAR COOCHBEHAR NADIA NADIA NADIA NADIA
NADIA NADIA NADIA
Earlier, in this context, while Bangladesh ratified the
Indira-Mujib agreement, 1974 in their Bangladesh Jatio Sangshad
(that is, National Parliament of Bangladesh), in the year, 1975;
but, it is yet to be ratified by India in her parliament. The
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India was of opinion
that the ratification by Bangladesh is conditional to the entire
border being demarcated and India will ratify the treaty only, when
(once) the process is completed.
(Source : Border Security Force of India [BSFI], 1999)
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Following this, this time, the areas in adverse possession and
05.974-kilometres ILB and IRB stretches would be finally exchanged
after the ratification of the deals in the parliaments of both the
nations (that is, In Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jatio Sangshad and in
India, Indian Parliament). Though, on these particular issues there
was a pact was signed between the aforesaid two nations on 07th
September, 2011 at Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh by the two
premiers Sheikh Hasina Wazed of Bangladesh and Dr. Manmohan Singh
of India. But, whatever may the facts, the true cause of delay in
the work of demarcating the above international boundary between
India-Bangladesh have had fear of losing vote-bank as well as the
indifferent attitudes of Congress (I) led Indian Government and
nothing else. Actually, the India-Bangladesh International Border
is a peculiar one. It is also fact that this particular
international border has been divided the natural boundaries like
forests, hills, rivers, social, economical and cultural boundaries
like human habitations, agricultural fields and religious places,
etcetera. But, it is an impossible task to seal the aforesaid
international border, because the territory has some kind of
porosity are always be there. Over and above, therere some parts in
the IBWBF that stands just on the said international boundary,
which cant be fenced as the terrain is either riverine or has thick
vegetation, said the former Director General (DG) of Border
Security Force of India (BSFI), Ashim Kumar Mitra at a press
conference at New Delhi, the capital of India on 07th October,
2006. Yet, the Government of India had given order to the agencies
like BSFI to go-ahead to erect the IBWBF within 150-yards of the
zero line of places, where human habitation couldnt exist or didnt
allow leaving the space for it. Later on, when the Indian Union
Home Ministry had instituted scrutinisation on the works related to
the creation of IBWBF that required leaving 150-yards (that is,
137-metres) of land from the actual zero-point, some unwanted
situations or chaos or problems created by the IBV peoples of both
sides. It led Indian to loss vast land areas in and around the
entire above India-Bangladesh international border. It was at this
juncture; the Government of India took a decision and issued a
directive that the above IBWBF be constructed from the zero-point.
But, Bangladesh said that they were unwilling to under take any
construction or erection within the 137-metres from the actual
international boundary zero-point. Presently, almost entire India
and Bangladesh international border demarcation has completed
including 05.974/06.374-kilometre, which is fallen in the area of
Indian States Assam, West Bengal and Tripura respectively. That is,
02.874-kilometre area in Assam as well as 01.500-kilometre in West
Bengal and 01.600kilometre in Tripura. Since the years 1947 and
afterward (or 1971), out of 04,096.70-kilometres Indo-Bangla
international boundary, these above three most disputed patches
(which comprises 05.974-kilometre) of areas, always created a
vulnerable situations, like conflict (most of the time) between the
aforesaid two respective neighbouring countries. These three
vulnerable or most disputed areas were Firstly : Area of Muhuri
Char (River) under Belonia Sub-division of South Tripura district
in Tripura State of India, which lies on Indo-Bangla international
border. Here, the disputes persisted at least in 01.600-kilometre
area of this riverside, where Bangladesh insisted in keeping the
river completely under their territory. For the villagers and
fishermen the riverbed is important for their survival and so, it
created the bone of contention for both sides. But, Sir Cyril
Radcliff Line, 1947 and the Indira-Mujib Pact, 16th May, 1974, said
that the international border should be at midpoint of the river.
Secondly : Area of International Border Village (IBV)s Lathitilla
and Dumabaroi under Patharkandi Block in Karimganj district of
Indian State, Assam that lies on Indo-Bangla international
boundary. Here, the disputes persisted at least in 02.874-kilometre
area. The villagers of these above IBVs had been paying tax to
Indian Assam State Government regularly out of coercion. The
astonishing fact was that the original map or diagram (which was
prepared during British period) was reportedly missing and
henceforth or from that time onward no permanent decision could be
taken (here). The Indian Government had been emphasizing repeatedly
that the Government of Bangladesh must show the original one,
likely to be kept in the archives of district headquarter Sylhet of
Bangladesh. Thirdly : Area of Daikhata under Boda Police Station of
Panchagarh district in Rajsahi Division of Bangladesh (just
opposite side Coochbehar district of Indian State, West-Bengal)
lies on Indo-Bangla international border and here the disputes
persist at least in 01.500-kilometres area. The root cause of the
dispute in this particular spot was the change of a small river
course. International Border Disputes : According to the officials
of the International Border Force (BSFI), The territorial disputes
generally occur because of tempering or attempts to tamper with
existing boundary, which occur due to some natural or human
consequences. Natural Causes Generally arises in riverine areas,
where International Border Pillar (IBP)s either get up-rooted or
eroded or washed away. Human causes Practically arises due to
deliberate efforts to nibble or encroach upon the established
boundary. But, historically, the boundary disputes occur for
various causes : Firstly : Territorial Boundary Disputes &
Positional Boundary Disputes Generally or outwardly it may appears
to be the same. But, it is not that every territorial claim means
nothing but a boundary difference. It is between, what it is and
what it will be. That is the line or land claimed and the line or
land held to be claimed. It occurs due to the land claimed has a
singularity of its own and the title of it is proved by the acts
that involve with the areas as a whole. The limits of the area can
easily be identified only when its status is settled. Further, the
dispute appears because of the attractiveness of the area or a
piece of land, which has an alluring attractive power. But,
there
6
is no such matter with regard to positional dispute and the
title to it can be proved by locating the boundary line only.
Secondly : Functional Boundary Disputes These arise, when one
country believes that it has been adversely and unfairly affected
by the functions of a neighbouring country along the boundary, that
is, blocking of passage of ships through an area. Thirdly :
Resource Development Disputes These disputes are often occurred due
to the utilization of resources of the border areas. The most
common of it is the problem of sharing of waters of a river flowing
from one country to another. Fourthly : Disputes Due To Maps It is
a fact that the boundaries are marked on the maps. In case they are
not, there may be an effort to use the fact as evidence that no
boundary existed. The scale of the map is also important and maps
rapidly decline in usefulness as the scale is reduced. However,
accuracy of the maps is also very important. The scale, accuracy
and the accuracy with which a line is drawn on the map are all
important to avoid disputes. Maps are regarded as strong evidence
of what they purport to portray. They may be termed and treated as
admissions, considered as binding, and said to possess a force of
their own. Fifthly : Disputes Due To Changing River Courses In
fact, there are several places on the IndiaBangladesh international
border, where the international border between the above two
countries is taken along the mid-stream of the river. The land that
comes up due to change in the course of the river is called River
Island (locally known as, Char or Char-land) and this particular
char-lands are caused of disputes along the international boundary
as it emerges on the side of the territory of either of the country
depending upon the direction of the change of the course. The
boundary being midstream of the river, a close watch has to be kept
on the emergence of these char-lands failing, which claims and
counter claims start as the civilians start cultivating this land
immediately on its emergence (See details about Char and Char-land
in earlier story Saga Of Char Lifeline in Brahmaputra Valley : A
STORY OF VANISHING ISLAND IN NORTH-EAST INDIA). In this context in
can be mentioned here that apart from above these disputes another
new dispute arose between the two countries was New Moore Island or
New Talpatty Island, which was claimed by both the countries (like
over New Muhury, few years ago) in the Bay of Bengal Sea, where
India and Bangladesh shares the international (sea) maritime
border. Nevertheless, the aforesaid international border that lies
in between India and Bangladesh was never free from dispute, rather
this particular international boundary was braided by a lot of
disputes, except 05.974-kilometre areas in the above three (Indian
States Assam, West Bengal and Tripura) different sectors. However,
the said international boundary had not yet been consented and the
disputes between above two nations were of various types and of
dimensions. MAJOR DISPUTES ALONG INDIA-BANGLADESH INTERNATONAL
BORDERINCONCEIVABLE TRUTH INDIAN PEASANTS PAY TAX BUT BANGLADESHI
FARMERS GET OWNERSHIP : SECRET DOSSIER OF LAND DISPUTE BETWEEN
INDIA & BANGLADESH
Karimganj is one of the most important district headquarter
towns of eastern Indian State, Assam, which lies on the
international border between India and Bangladesh. Patharkandi
Block area is one of the key Block areas of the said Karimganj
district, which also lies on the said international boundary and
this is why, this particular Patharkandi Block part is always a
significant pointy of discussion; specially, among the inhabitants
of 04-numbers of International Border Village (IBV) like Karkhana
Pathini (known as : Karkhana Putni-RH-1621), Baro Pathini (known as
: Baro Putni-RH-1622), Lathitilla (RH-4727) and Dumabaroi, which is
called Dumabari (RH-1725) and a Tea Estate (TE) Pathini TE (known
as : Putni TE) or Pathini Tea Garden (known as : Putni Tea
Garden-RH2521), which are located in the said international
bordering area. The total land area of the aforementioned IBVs is
01,355.160-acres. Apart from this, There are 04-numbers of villages
are existed in the Pathini TE. These are Pathini, Shollofut (that
is, Sixteen Feet), Champabari, Chengmari and Piplagul, where the
above tea garden labourers are lived. But, abovementioned
04-numbers of IBV are not existed within the aforesaid Pathini TE,
but have situated adjacent to the said TE. In the year, 1923,
Patharia Forest area, which is under Madanpur-Pallathal
Tea-Estates, got reorganized as Reserve Forest. Around 04-Hectares
land area of this particular forest area was illegally occupied by
the Bangladesh and the areas were illegally used by the Bangladeshi
nationals for their Paan (that is, Betel or Betel-leaf)
cultivation. And this is why, the entire areas of the said Patharia
Forest area of Madanpur-Pallathal Tea-Estates was illegally
demanded by the Government of Bangladesh. But, Government of India
totally denied the same or to hand over the areas, stated the
Deputy Commissioner or Deputy Collector or District Collector (DC)s
of the Karimganj district. But, the point is that Since the year,
1947, the above 01,355.160-acres of land was always under the
constant threat of earlier East Bengal (that is, locally called
Purbo Bango or Purbo Bangla, which later renamed as East Pakistan,
locally called Purbo Pakistan [of West Pakistan, known as Poshchim
Pakistan] of present Pakistan State) and then Bangladesh (that is,
after 16th December, 1971) in various ways. Not only that
aforementioned 01,355.160-acres (that is, 751-Bigha 38-Katha
20-Lechha) of land, which covers Lathitilla (365-Bigha 14-Katha
15-Lechha) 000.000-acres, Dumabaroi (229-Bigha 00-Katha 00-
7
Lechha) 126.750-acres, Baro Pathini (119-Bigha 06-Katha
00-Lechha) 767.960-acres and Karkhana Pathini (38Bigha 18-Katha
05-Lechha) 460.450-acres, have fallen in Indian side, while
similarly in Bangladesh side, Lathitilla 120.250-acres, Dumabaroi
75.700-acres, Baro Pathini 39.440-acres and Karkhana Pathini
12.870-acres, which comprises about (750-Bigha 19-Katha 04-Lechha)
248.260-acres of land have existed. On the other hand, in Pathini
TE areas Pathini TE alone-49.390-acres and Pathini Reserve Forest
area09.890-acres (which comprises 05,358.980-acres) of land are
existed respectively. These above figures (Indian side, Bangladesh
side and Pathini TE) have been mentioned or showed or recorded in
the records of Director of Land Record & Survey, Government of
Assam State, Indias recent reports, stated the circle officer of
Patharkandi Circle Office of Karimganj district, M. A. Lashkar on
27th August, 2011. (See Table-I) In this context, it can be also
mentioned here that Earlier according to our records of the Land
& Revenue Survey, Government of Assam State, India, since 1947
and 1965 (that is, just before the Indo-Pak War, 1965), the total
land areas of Pathini TE under Tea Trading Corporation of India
(TTCI) or Tea Trading Corporation of India Limited (TTCIL) was
05,867.369-acres (that is, 02,374.439-hectare), which was one of
the Government of India (Ministry of Commerce & Industry)s
institution or establishment. It had a vast plot of land and
comprising (above noted 04-numbers of IBV, tea-estate and its
adjoining reserve-forest areas), related on of the officials of DC
office of Karimganj district, who doesnt want to disclose his name.
However, the most astonishing and conflicting points were that as
per D. M. Group, formerly known as the Mantri Group, Kolkata, West
Bengal State, India, The earlier records of the Pathini TE
confirmed, the exact total grant area of the Pathini TE was
17,698-Bigha 13-Katha 09-Lechha. But, during the year 1962-1963,
when the Government of West Pakistan had illegally occupied or
controlled around 438-Bigha 01-Katha 13-Lechha of the said TE, at
that time the then manager of the above tea-garden informed the
above fact to the then Deputy Commissioner or Deputy Collector or
District Collector (DC)s of the then Cachar District (which later
divided into four parts of district Cachar, North Cachar Hills,
Karimagnaj and Hailakandi) of Indian State, Assam in a written
letter dated 11th May, 1967 after visited the entire tea-garden and
enquired the matter thoroughly. On the other hand, the records of
Tea Board of India (TBI), Licensing Department (List of New
Registration of Tea Estate during the period of 01-01-1900 to
30-06-2010) dated 08th September, 2010, showed, the land area of
the above Pathini TE is 02,374.439-hectares, which is Grant Area
(apart from Grant Area, Applied Area for Plantation
857.200-hectares) and the Registration Number is 2629, dated 06th
December, 1976, under Mantri Tea Company Private Limited (as per
File Number 182/LC). Not only that the records also indicated that
the above tea-garden, once a lush estate on the IndoBangladesh
international boundary was sold by its original owner Octavias
Steel and Company to the TTCI in the year-1975. After that the
Mantri group (which was formed in the year 1948 by Govind Prasad
Mantri) acquired the above Pathini TE on 29th August, 2006, in the
name of Vijaya Shree TE from TTCI. Earlier it is fact that the said
teagarden was deemed owner-less post the partition of India in the
year, 1947, and was afterward nationalised and entrusted to the
TTCI. The aforesaid tea-garden was amongst the largest grant areas
of about 02,374.44-hectares available for tea-cultivation. But,
most sorrowful matter is that for more than a decade and a half,
from the early 1990s, the above tea-estate was in a state of
shocking neglect. Later, the entire infrastructure of the said
tea-garden was in a state of devastate at the time of the takeover.
Since then, a plantation development program had been undertaken to
revitalize and restore the 857.20-hectares, which were originally
under tea cultivation.Table-I
At A Glance
ACTUAL POSITION & FIGURES OF LATHITILLA-DUMABAROISERIAL
NUMBER
NAME OF THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER VILLAGE (IBV)
FROM INTERNATIONAL BORDER PILLAR NUMBER (IBPN)
TOTAL LAND AREA (In Acre)
LAND AREA OF INDIAN SIDE (In Acre)
LAND AREA OF BANGLADESH SIDE (In Acre)
FAMILY LIVED & AFFECTED (In Number)
01.
Madanpur Tea Estate (India)-Pallathal Tea Estate (Bangladesh)
Area Patharia (under Madanpur) Forest (India)Pallathal Forest
(Bangladesh) Area Madanpur-Pallathal Tea Estate Sector
1369/3-S to 1371/6-S 1372 to 1373/3-S 1370/3-S to 1371/6-S &
1372 to 1373/3-S
218.080
159.195
058.885
000
141.930
126.275
015.655
000
Total
360.010
285.470
074.540
000
8
02.
Promodenagar Tea Estate Sector Lathitilla Dumabaroi Baro Pathini
Karkhana Pathini LathitillaDumabaroi Sector Entire
MadanpurPallathal Tea Estate, Promodenagar Tea Estate &
LathitillaDumabaroi Sectors. Pathini Tea Estate Area Pathini
Reserve Forest Area Pathini Tea Estate Sector Entire
MadanpurPallathal Tea Estate, Promodenagar Tea Estate,
LathitillaDumabaroi & Pathini Tea Estate Sectors.
03. 04. 05. 06.
1375/2-S to 1375/3-S & 1375/5-S to 1375/6-s
165.290
153.560
011.730
000
Total
Total
07. Total
1397 (Point-Y) to 1400/1-RI & 1400/1-RI to 1800/3-RI
1369/3-S to 1400/1-RI & 1400/1-RI to 1800/3-RI
120.250 202.450 807.400 473.320
000.000 126.750 767.960 460.450
120.250 075.700 039.440 012.870
026 040 114 149
01,603.420
01,355.160
248.260
329
02,128.720
01,794.190
334.530
329
05,358.980 1369/3-S to 1400/1-RI & 1400/1-RI to
1800/3-RI
000
Grand Total
07,487.700
000.000
000.000
000
(Note : Here, 01-hectare = 02.47105381-acre and 01-acre =
0.404685642-hectares) Land area of Nayagram is 145.000-acres)
(Source : Director of Land Record & Revenue Survey, Government
of Assam State, India & Border Security Force of India [BSFI],
2011)
Due to rampant corruption among said tea-garden officials and
frequent lockouts announced by the teaestate authority, some
members of other laborers families died of starvation. The Pathini
tea estate, located along the Indo-Bangla border, had become
infamous for increasing number of starvation deaths of its
laborers. Around 10numbers to 17-numbers of tea-labour were
reported to had died of starvation during the year 1994 to July,
2001. It was not the end of the black days in Pathini Tea Garden
(which produces green-tea) more than 01,800-numbers of labourers
had virtually been starving since June, 2001, following an
indefinite lockout announced by the garden officials, said Rameswar
Tanti, a tea laborer in Pathini TE (which was called as garden of
death and once a foreign exchange earner and even, received gold
medal in 1980s from the Government of India for excellence in
quantity and quality of production of tea). Similarly, according to
the records of TBI, dated 08th September, 2010, the land area of
the above Promodenagar TE is 02,199.237-acres (that is,
890-hectares) (while other sources said-02,140.006-acres, that is,
866.03-hectares), which is Grant Area (apart from Grant Area,
Applied Area for Plantation 153.440-hectares) and the Registration
Number is 24, dated 22nd June, 1949, under Arunodaya Plantation
Limited (as per File Number P-9/LC). However, there is no mention
about Madanpur TE, mentioned the officials of the TBI in their
documentations. While others sources said that Madanpur TE is
983.998-acres (that is, 398.210-hectares), which is Grant Area
(apart from Grant Area, Applied Area for Plantation
159.780-hectares). At A GlanceTable-II
CONTROVERSIAL POSITION & FIGURES OF
LATHITILLA-DUMABAROISERIAL NUMBER
NAME OF THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER VILLAGE (IBV)
FROM INTERNATIONAL BORDER PILLAR NUMBER (IBPN)
TOTAL LAND AREA (In Acre)
LAND AREA OF INDIAN SIDE (In Acre)
LAND AREA OF BANGLADESH SIDE (In Acre)
FAMILY LIVED & AFFECTED (In Number)
9
01.
Madanpur Tea Estate (India)-Pallathal Tea Estate (Bangladesh)
Area Patharia (under Madanpur) Forest (India)Pallathal Forest
(Bangladesh) Area Madanpur-Pallathal Tea Estate Sector
1369/3-S to 1371/6-S 1372 to 1373/3-S 1370/3-S to 1371/6-S &
1372 to 1373/3-S 1375/2-S to 1375/3-S & 1375/5-S to
1375/6-s
Total
459.010
384.510
074.500
00
02.
Promodenagar Tea Estate Sector Lathitilla Dumabaroi Baro Pathini
Karkhana Pathini LathitillaDumabaroi Sector Entire
MadanpurPallathal Tea Estate, Promodenagar Tea Estate &
LathitillaDumabaroi Sectors Pathini Tea Estate Area Pathini Reserve
Forest Area Pathini Tea Estate Sector Entire MadanpurPallathal Tea
Estate, Promodenagar Tea Estate, LathitillaDumabaroi & Pathini
Tea Estate Sectors.
165.290
153.560
011.730
00
03. 04. 05. 06.
Total
Total
1397 (Point-Y) to 1400/1-RI & 1400/1-RI to 1800/3-RI 1369 to
1400/1-RI & 1400/1-RI to 1800/3-RI
804.000
714.000
090.000
00
01,428.300
01,252.070
176.230
00
07. Total
000.000 1369/3-S to 1400/1-RI & 1400/1-RI to 1800/3-RI
000.000
000.000
00
Grand Total
01,428.300
01,252.070
176.230
000
(Note : Here, 01-hectare = 02.47105381-acre and 01-acre =
0.404685642-hectares) Land area of Nayagram is 145.000-acres)
(Source : Government of Assam State, India & Indian National
Political Party Congress [Indira], Indian Assam State Unit,
2011)
In this connection, it may be referred here that This particular
TE land was purchased from the British Raj, in the name of the then
Indian President due to the various geographical causes and to
protect the unity and dignity of India. But, the interesting fact
is that, it was the only TE, whose owner was the President of
India. However, the most unfortunate thing is that one fourth of
that aforesaid TE lied under the possession of former East Pakistan
and now under Bangladesh administration. It is also fact that above
tea-gardens position and situation was very deplorable. Despite
above TEs deplorable conditions, lots of peoples of those above
04-numbers of IBV and the only tea-garden, (who have lost their
abovementioned 248.260-acres fertile agricultural lands and
properties) were working in that above particular tea-garden area
to somehow manage or run the family, but couldnt survive properly.
Ultimately, in the mean time, so many peoples of labour classes of
those IBVs had to pass their days
10
without any payments and few of them died a painful death,
mentioned one the officials of the Circle Office of Patharkandi
Block of Karimganj district. On 02nd July, 2001, Monilal Goala, a
Cha Sramik Union leader (who was the vice-president of the Cachar
Cha Sramik Union, shortly say-CCSU of Cachar District) blasted and
the tea-labourers of Pathini TE alleged, Most unfortunate and
astonishing facts are that the Kolkata-based TTCI, which took
charge of the aforesaid tea-garden from Assam Tea Trading
Corporation (ATTC) of India, is not much concerned about those
tea-labourers of above Pathini TE, who are almost dying. Not only
that even, not a single official of the said tea-garden do not
bother to give any answer about the reason that why the
tea-labourers are dying one after another, can you imagine? Though,
the IBPs in the Pallathal TE (which is registered with Bangladesh
Tea Board, shortly say, BTB and the member of Bangladesh Tea
Association, shortly say, BTA) area in Karimganj district were
erected way back in 1962, and the Indian Government abortive to
guard or look after the area and that is why, at that time the
Bangladeshi citizens managed to intrude upon the above particular
area illegally and later Bangladesh Government got a chance to
claim that area was under her adverse possession and nothing else,
added further another CCSU member. According to the reports of The
Daily Star Newspaper of Bangladesh, As per the documents as well as
the records of the Directorate of Land Record & Survey,
Government of Bangladesh (DLRSGB), Pallathal TE (where around
500-numbers of workers are working on the said tea-garden, who were
brought by the English from various parts of the then Undivided
India and living in this particular tea-garden for generations, are
mostly Hindu community) that falls under (East Shahbazpur Post
Office and Barlekha Upazila of Juri Circle) Moulvibazar district of
Bangladesh was set up in the year, 1920s, which as Pallathal
Division of Hindustan Tea Company Limited. The factory of this TE
was set up in the year, 1934. This particular TE divided into
12-numbers of section. Initially, in the late 1920s, the aforesaid
TE had set up 04-numbers of sections; these were Number-01,
Number-02, Number-03 and Number-04, while later, in early-1930s it
was actually followed by another 08-numbers of section; these were
Number-05, Number-06, Number-07, Number-08, Number-09, Number-10,
Number-11 and Number-12 respectively. The TE was sold to one Kolin
Bihari Roy, who ultimately sold the above TE to Pushpa Rani
Chowdhury in the year, 1953-1954. Pushpa Rani didnt sow tea
saplings or did any tea-plantation in the above revealed Number02,
Number-03 and Number-04 sections of the said tea-garden, only
because of that the area was fallen under disputed zone or disputed
place, with India, which comprised around 360-acres of land. And it
was not suitable for producing tea, rather cultivated Paan.
Meanwhile, Pushpa Rani Das sold her tea-garden (that is, Pallathal
TE) to Riazur Rahman in between the year, 1989-1990. Nevertheless
this time, though the owner of the said tea-estate has been
producing tea in the above-mentioned sections but never cultivating
tea in the above disputed areas. Instead of tea plantation, he has
been planting betel leaves, bamboos and rubber trees. Even, the
people of Khashia Tribe of Bangladesh produce betel leaf on a
portion of the above disputed 360-acres of area. However, the
documents and papers showed that the DCs of the then Cachar
District (which later divided into four parts of district Cachar,
North Cachar Hills, Karimagnaj and Hailakandi) of Indian State,
Assam and Undivided Sylhet District (which later divided into four
parts of district Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj and Maulvi Bazar) met
in the year-1976 and decided that status quo of the above 360-acres
of disputed land area would be continued until finalisation of the
issue at the aforesaid both the states governments echelon. It can
be mentioned here that out of 01,200-acres of total land area of
the said tea-garden, 360-acres land comprises Number-02, Number-03
and Number-04 sections (which were leaving out during the erection
of IBWBW by the Government of India), while rest of 840-acres of
land constitutes Number-01, and Number-05 to Number-12 of the said
tea-estate. Indeed, in Lathitilla IBV areas, around 26-numbers of
family; in Dumabaroi IBV areas, about 40-numbers of family with
Pathini TE; in Karkhana Pathini IBV areas, around 149-numbers of
family and in Baro Pathini IBV areas, about 114-numbers of family
(which comprises about 329-numbers of family) were directly
affected and shifted to Indian side, who had land Patta and had the
valid or original documents (with seal and signature of former
Settlement Officer of earlier Pratapgarh Mouza, Sylhet Division of
East Bengal of 19th September, 1914) of British Government and paid
their Khajna (that is, Land Tax) to the exchequers of earlier
British Government and after that Indian Assam State Government
till the year-2000. And this why, in this matter, Mrinal Kanti Das,
the DC of Karimganj district informed to the Indian Assam State
Government earlier and mentioned (in his letter Vide Number
KPE/113/2010/26, Dated 22nd February, 2010), If the above portions
will go to the hand of Bangladesh permanently, then local public of
that areas can raise massive hue and cry, and even, if necessary,
then they will organize a mass movement against the decision of
Government of India that Government of India betrayed them and give
the lands without their proper consultations and compensations. We
paid tax for our paternal lands and Bangladeshis will enjoy the
benefit or get the ownership of our lands. Where does this rule
exist? Have you seen anywhere in the world?, questioned the dweller
of the LathitillaDumabaroi IBVs, Ramsundar Goala. He further
taunted, If we dont pay land tax, then our so-called beloved Indian
Assam State Government (IASG) sends us notices or letters that we
are Bangladeshi citizen. And this is why, we are bound to pay or
given land tax each and every year to the IASG in this matter,
even, since British regime.
11
It is fact that IBVs Karkhana Pathini and Baro Pathini are under
Indian possession since 15th August, 1947, while on the other hand,
it is also true that the district administration of Karimganj
district has been collecting land revenue every year from the above
329-numbers of Indian family, who are residing on the said disputed
04numbers hamlet area and a tea-garden, which are lied on the
Indo-Bangla international boundary. These IBVs are belong to
Bengali-speaking Hindu community, but the land of IBVs Lathitilla
and a few portions of Dumabaroi and the above Pathini TE are fallen
under the administration of Maulvibazar district of Bangladesh,
revealed earlier Karimganj district DC, Joychandra Goswami on 11th
December, 2004, according to the records. It was happened due to
the British engineer, Sir Cyril Radcliff, who was appointed by
Great Britain (that is, United Kingdom, shortly say UK) in June,
1947 at the chair of two Boundary Commissions and drew an
unscientific and illogical arbitrary line to divide the above two
states. Not only that even, as a result of this, a few members of
dispute were also arisen (in some portions of the above 04-numbers
of IBV and a tea-garden area) between the two neighbouring nations,
unnecessarily. Apart from these, earlier East-Pakistan and present
Bangladesh were also forcibly occupied or illegally possessed a few
portions of the said 04-numbers of IBV and a teagarden. And as a
result of this, the inhabitants of that India IBVs thought that
they had ultimately lost their lands in the hands of earlier East
Pakistan and now Bangladesh. Kisun Chauhan, Jagabandhan Kanu, Ganga
Bisun Kanu, Parbati Bhar, Manilal Bhar, Murli Raj Bhar, Ram Kusum
Kairi, Jaihind Kairi, Janardan Prasad Kairi, Hiralal Goala,
Shangram Goala, Sibpujan Goala, Jayprasad Goala, Bidyapati
Upadhayay, Nagendra Kumar Das, Ram Sundar Goala and others
(Jayananda Goala, Satya Narayan Goala, Shankar Chauhan, Anowar
Hussain, etcetera), who have Jomir Dolil (that is, permanent Land
Deed or Land Record)s, Jomir Khajnar Roshid (that is, Counter
Receipt of Land Tax) and controlled over aforesaid 04numbers of IBV
(including Lathitilla and a few portions of Dumabaroi IBVs)s and
(so-called disputed) tea-estate are still depositing their
land-revenue of these IBVs to the exchequer of the Indian Assam
State Government, as per Land Revenue Act (LRA) system of India and
this has been going on since pre-independence period. These above
our beloved peoples of the aforesaid 04-numbers of IBV and a TE
have possessed or have paternal lands and landed properties in
their above respective 04-numbers of hamlet and in this context
they have each and every related valid documents, which had given
by the earlier British Raj and later by the Indian Government; but
surprisingly, despite unwillingness, now they have to go forcibly
to Bangladesh. Can you imagine, have you seen anywhere in the
world?, questioned Nilotpal Das, local leader of the Indian
nationalist political party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However,
Government of India in various occasions raised those illegal
occupation and illegal activities of earlier East Pakistan
Government of Pakistan and now Bangladesh Government. But, nothing
happened at last. On 1oth June, 2001, the Indian Home Ministry
officials pointed out, Look, when we asked our counterpart
Bangladesh, in this perspective (that is, for illegal possession
and their illegal activities), at that point, they simply avoided
it. But, when we further raised the issue and asked for specific
revenue documents (next time) on that basis they were illegally
occupied the Indian lands; at that time, Bangladesh officials
replied, we do not have it. It must be with your respective
department of Director of Land & Revenue Survey, Government of
India. Even, when we offered to have a joint survey for the above
disputed areas conducted by a third party, at that juncture, it was
stonewalled on the excuse that there was no such clause or
condition in the accord of India Bangladesh Land Border Agreement,
16th May, 1974. Meanwhile, during the year, 1987-1988, when Indian
Central Public Works Department (CPWD) in first phase, Indian
National Building Construction Corporation Limited (NBCCL) in
second phase during the year 2005 and Indian National Project
Construction Corporation Limited (NPCCL) in third phase during the
year 2008 started to build International Barbed Wire Border Fence
(IBWBF) along the said international boundary areas in the entire
Kaimganj district. At that time, in that particular sector
Lathitilla and Dumabaroi (in the year 2008), the officials of the
said company faced tremendous wrath of the peoples of above
04-numbers of IBV, which ultimately compelled the company to build
the IBWBF on the said sector after left the abovementioned
so-called disputed areas or portions or keeping the abovementioned
04-numbers of IBV and the only TE area, which is around
02.874kilometres (that is, around 03-kilometres) open. Practically,
the bone of contention between the two states in this Lathitilla
and Dumabaroi sector is IBVs-Lathitilla and Dumabaroi (but, a few
portions, which is called Tilla area, means small mound or hillock)
area (that is situated western side and the place is without any
human habitation) as well as the above Pathini-TE. And Bangladesh
exactly illegally occupied this particular portion or side. Look,
before and after 1950s, there were lots of fierce clashes had been
occurred in this particular abovenoted o4-numbers of IBV. Even,
during Liberation War, of 1971, there was a another fiery fight
held between the numbers of Mukti Bahini (that is, Liberation
Force) cadres and the soldiers of East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) of
Pakistan, which was later renamed after creation of Bangladesh
nation as Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and presently known as Border
Guards of Bangladesh (BGB), at this particular point, conceded the
local peoples of Karimganj district. It can be noted here that as
per BGB records are concerned, The Border Guards of Bangladesh or
Border Guard Bangladesh, shortly say-BGB, actually earlier, that
is, in the year, 1795, it was known as Frontier Protection Force
(FPF) under East Indian Company (British Rule), after that it was
again renamed as Ramgarh Local Battalion (RLB). Then in the year
1861, this frontier border guard renamed as Frontier Guards (FG),
after
12
that in 1891, it was again renamed as Bengal Military Police
(BMP). Not only that this force again renamed as Eastern Frontier
Rifles (EFR) in 1920, then in 1947 it was renamed as East Pakistan
Rifles (EPR) under East Pakistan of Pakistan State, and after
creation of Bangladesh nation in 16thh December, 1971, it was again
renamed as Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in 1972, and again on 23rd
January, 2011, it was renamed as Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB).
In 1958, the Pakistan Security Force (PSF) EPR first opened fire
upon the peoples of the Mokamtilla (under Patharkandi Block) areas,
which is near the said IBVs (that is, in and around Lathitilla and
Dumabaroi areas). In this context, in the same year (that is 1958),
there were several questions arisen about the incident in the floor
of the Indian Parliament (IP), but unfortunately, the reply (or
speech) of the then Prime Minister of India (PMI), Late Pundit
Jawaharlal Nehru was worthy of being remembered. The astonishing
opinion passed or answering the questions by Late P. J. Nehru on
the context of above fierce incident was Those aforementioned
04-numbers of village and a tea-estate (especially, Lathitilla and
Dumbabari hamlets) are belonged to East Pakistan of Pakistan. There
is no doubt about that and the peoples of those villages are
belonged to Muslim community and few Hindu families. Therefore,
there is no need to inclusion of the said villages within India.
Left these villages .. However, we occupied those 04-numbers of
village and a tea-estate, because, Pakistan had kept occupied our
some portions or Indian territory. Now we have arrived at an
agreement (that is, mentioned about the agreement of the 11th
September, 1958, between the PMI, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru and the
Prime Minister of Pakistan [PMP], Firoze Khan Noon) and will
handover those aforementioned 04-numbers of village (including,
Lathitilla and Dumabaroi hamlets) with a tea-estate (which is
called Bananchal) to Pakistan .., disclosed Mrinal Dasgupta on 08th
April, 1999 and later his son Ashish Dasgupta admitted the facts
too and said the above similar thing on 05th September, 2011, who
heard entire episodes of the aforesaid incident from the mouth of
his late father. Supporting the fact, 68-years-old Sibaprasad
Tiwari, who is the inhabitant of IBV-Chhoto Pathini (known as :
Chhoto Putni) lamented, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru delivered or gave a
baseless and fact-less speech in the floor of IP. Which he actually
called Bananchal (that is, forest lands) area is indeed, or
actually Lokanchal (that is, human habitations) area. From, where
he obtained those facts and figures or how he delivered an
irresponsible speech on the said context, is still unknown or
mysterious to us. While on the other hand, according to the writer,
Avtar Singh Bhasin, who wrote in his book (IndiaBangladesh
Relations 1917-1994), Pundit Nehru delivered a negating statement
about the said areas, In regard to exchange of small territories,
we do not want to further migration from that place, as far as
possible and it is better for the populaces of that areas to live
there permanently and accept or adopt the country, to which they
will now belong to (means earlier East Pakistan and now,
Bangladesh), it is our advise to the people of that areas ... At
that time, that opinion instantaneously enraged the Patharkandi
Constituencys Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Indian Assam
State Assembly, Gopesh Namasudra, respective citizens of the said
Patharkandi areas Mrinal Dasgupta, Sarbananda Namasudra and others,
who had later filed a case in the honourable Supreme Court of India
(SCI) against the opinion of PM of India, Pundit J. Nehru, in the
same year later. In SCI, on behalf of petitioners, the question was
raised or asked by Barrister Sadhan Gupto and M. K. Ramamurthy. In
this context it can be also noted here that in the year-1958, the
Indian former PM, P. J. Nehru gave above that answer after raised
questions on the said burning issue by the Member of Parliament
(MP)s of IP Mohammad Elias and the S. M. Banerjee, respectively. At
that time, Mohammad Elias was a candidate of Communist Party of
India (National), shortly says, CPIN and was represented for the
Parliamentary Constituency [PC] Howrah (District) of the Indian
State, West Bengal (WB), while S. M. Banerjee was a Independent
Candidate) of Kanpur (District) PC of the Indian State, Uttar
Pradesh (UP). Both the said two candidates had won the Indian
Parliamentary Election, in the year, 1957. But, nothing had been
happened, everything turned fruitless, stated 45years-old Tapodhir
Kumar Deshmukh and 49-years-old Gautam Deshmukh, who are the sons
of Gopesh Namasudra of Patharkandi. Not only that to solve the
problem and the situation of the said 04-numbers of village and a
tea-estate between the two states, the others local respective
peoples of Karimganj district Rathin Sen, Ranendra Mohan Das and
others later so many times went to the offices of Indian Union Home
Ministry and Indian Union External Ministry at the capital of
India, New Delhi, but no concrete solution came out. Even though,
in the agreement of the 11th September, 1958, which was held
between the PMI and the Prime Minister of Pakistan (PMP), Pundit
Jawaharlal Nehru and Firoze Khan Noon, there were mentioned of
those 04-numbers of hamlet and a tea-estate, which later on
protested by the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Janashangha,
but ultimately nothing resolved or sorted out between the above two
nations in this regards. In fact, at that time, Bimala Prasad
Chaliha was the Chief Minister (CM) of the Indian State, Assam.
When Indian Central Government, shortly say ICG (that is, Indian
Union Home Minsitry Govind Ballabh Pant and the PM of India Pundit
Jawaharlal Nehru) asked about the ground situation of the said
04-numbers of hamlet (including IBVs Lathitilla and Dumabaroi) and
a tea-garden, the aforesaid CM replied that situation of the
aforesaid hamlets was quite normal, everything was fine and there
was no dispute between the two sides. Even, he never helped the
above 04-numbers of Indian village and a tea-garden and their
peoples at that time. In a word, he
13
misled and gave wrong information to the ICG, blamed the former
MLA, Gopesh Namasudra of aforesaid Patharkandi Constituency on 11th
April, 1999. According to Nagendra Kumar Das, The above revealed
ugly attack of the PSF was mainly launched fullfledged in the year
1959, when the International Border Pillar (IBP) of the
India-Bangladesh International Border was started to construct for
demarcating the aforesaid international boundary-line between India
and Bangladesh for the first time. It was decided that the Police
Station (PS) Kulaura, which is presently under Maulvibazar district
(that is, the then Hingajia of East Pakistan State) of Bangladesh
and the Patharkandi PS, which is now under Karimganj district (that
is, former Srihatta District of Undivided India and then Undivided
Cachar District of Independent India) of the Indian State Assam,
would be the international borderline between the two states India
and Pakistan. As per the plan or scheme, it was also decided that
the international boundary-line would be demarcated or made in such
a way that the Patharkandi PS would lie in the eastern side,
Kulaura and Barlekha PSs (presently under Maulvibazar district of
Sylhet Division of Bangladesh), Beani Bazar (presently Sylhet
district of Bangladesh) would lie in western side, while from Thal
Gung (means rivulet or small-river, which comes or flows from North
Tripura district of Indian State, Tripura and crosses the Karkhana
Pathini village and has entered into Bangladesh, that lies just
near the IBPN-1800) to northern side, as an international border.
Actually the root cause of the entire confrontation between the two
neighbouring states had been existed since 1959-1960, when it was
found that the iron made number plate of IBPs (which were fixed on
the foot of the of IBPs that erected on Indo-Pak [presently,
Bangladesh] international boundary to demarcate the aforesaid
international border between the above two nations properly), were
either wrong or misleading or confusing. For an instance the
IBPN-1396 that stood at Piplagul-Champabari IBVs of Karimganj
district. In Indian side, the number plate engraved/marked as
IBPN-1396, while on the Pakistan (that is, Bangladesh) side it was
seen IBPN-1395. That means there were vast differences during
marking the IBPs, which are still existed and this is why, the
problem between two states still existed. But, why it happened,
whether it is intentional or unintentional or whimsical, nobody
knows. Similarly, it existed also in IBPN-1392, IBPN-1393,
IBPN-1394, IBPN-1396, IBPN-1397, respectively. Apart from this,
another cause of confrontation is that to demarcate the
international boundary between the two nations of the said area
(that is, from Pathini Chhara [locally known as Putni Chhara]
Nullah [means : someone called canal or channel, while someone
called rivulet] to above revealed Thal rivulet). The IBPs (which
were also erected at that period on the said areas, are now
situated just near the bank of the Thal rivulet) were also
disputed. However, on the other hand, according to the records of
the Indian Home Ministry, Government of India, M. C. Chagla gave a
statement of Lower House of Indian Parliament (IP), that is, Rajya
Sabha, that East Pakistan of Pakistan had virtually illegally
occupied (a portion, that is, hillock areas of the) Dumabaroi
village in the year 1952. While on the other side, the others
records claimed, actually, the daily incursions and firing had been
taken place in this particular sector since 1962. Though, in
February, 1962, the villagers of the said IBVs Lathitilla and
Dumabaroi were found that the EPR soldiers of Pakistan patrolled
the areas suspiciously periodically. It had ultimately come to
notice, when in November, 1962, Pakistan illegally occupied or
seized IBVLathitilla and (a portion, that is, hillock areas of the)
DumabaroiIBV in July, 1963. It was estimated that Pakistan
illegally tried to grab entire lands of the above 04-numbers of
Indian IBV and a TE (including another IBV Chhoto Pathini, which
locally called-Chhoto Putni). While a section of scholars in this
connection referred, Lathitilla-(a portion, that is, hillock areas
of the) Dumabaroi hamlets went under East Pakistan during
India-Pakistan War, 1965 and since then it was their possession,
presently, Bangladesh and termed as a disputed territory. Not only
that presently, as per officials records of Indian Assam State Home
Ministry department, the present BGB camp at Lathitilla-Dumabaroi
area was once used by International Border Armed Force (IBAF), that
is, Indian Army legally and belonging to India as well as the
adjoining Pathini Reserve Forest areas also. But, this so-called
base-camp at last came under EPR of Pakistans control after the
Indo-Pak War, 1965. Even if at that time Government of India was
urged the Government of East Pakistan state of Pakistan to give
back the said camp or disputed territory to India, but, Pakistan
didnt pay any heed to Indias repeated requests. In due course,
Government of Bangladesh also followed similar path or took similar
stand on the aforesaid subject, as Indias appeal to hand over the
so-called disputed area or encampment area had all along fallen on
deaf ears. In the year 1963, in Lathitilla area, there was again a
fierce incident happened between both sides. After that EPR jawans
had not only harassed the people of above-04-numbers of IBV and the
tea-garden of India but also carried on inhuman, oppression upon
them. This frightened them in such a way that they had to leave
their houses and took shelter beside Indian International Border
Armed Force (IIBAF) camps. This came to light from the opinion of
Satyendra Nath Das. Because, the EPR soldiers had at first picked
up Satyendra Nath Das from his house and then beaten black and blue
till he in fell senseless (because, he was vocal against East
Pakistan, accused by EPR). This was happened on 31st October, 1963.
After that the EPR targeted the denizen of Karkhana Pathini
village, Nagendra Das, but he was out of their (that is, EPR)
reach, because, Nagendra Das stayed most of the time at IBAF camp
to save himself from the hand of EPR.
14
All these were done under Company Commandant of EPR Force, Hayat
Khan, who later on became a frightful figure among the residents of
Lathitilla, Dumabaroi, Baro Pathini, Karkhana Pathini, (including
Chhoto Pathini, known as : Chhoto Putni), which are now under
Patharkandi Block under Karimganj district of Indian side,
emphasized the villager Satyendra Nath Das, the resident of
Dumabaroi village, who is now around 90-plus. He further stated, It
was alleged that EPR force took the opportunity of oppressing to
the Indian people continuously and tremendously of those areas,
because of the apathetic attitudes of Company (that is, Battalion)
in Charge or Circle Inspector (C.I.) of Lathitilla IIBAF camp,
Prabhu Singh. The reason behind of our above IBAF officer or C.I.
was either his illegal relationship with EPR officers daughter or a
lady, who was one of the relatives of the aforesaid EPR officer. As
a result of this, he always went to visit the Hayat Khan led EPRs
International Border Out Post (IBOP) and received various gifts
(like breakfast, lunch, dinner, etcetera) in various occasions.
But, most interesting fact is that, when our BSFI C.I. went to
visit the EPR camp after invitation or without invitation, at that
time EPR came to the above 04-numbers of village and a tea-garden
and tortured the Indian citizens mercilessly (from not only child
to old one but also girl children to women). Even, in the same year
(that is, 1963), there was a discussion between both sides frontier
border security forces in brigadier level at Tamabil, the IBV of
Sylhet district of Bangladesh over this disputed 01,603.420-acres
(648.881-hectare) of land that lies on Indo-Bangla international
boundary. It was decided that both the sides would maintain Land of
Standstill keeping themselves 137-metre (that is, 150-yard)s away
from Pathini TE, as a temporary international boundary, till the
dispute on the said international borderland between the two
nations were brought to an end or over. During discussion, at the
time, Brigadier Ghashiram was represented on behalf of IIBAF.
According to the above agreement, IIBAF gave due honour to that
discussion and shifted their IBOP or camp towards 137-metres Indian
side, while East Pakistan and later Bangladesh failed to do it.
Even, Bangladesh frontier border force-BGB had been pursuing the
previous policy of East Pakistan like threat, oppression and
repression on the residents of above-04-numbers of IBV and the
tea-garden and even, compelled the aforesaid IBV majority (that is,
Hindu) community people to leave their land and captured their
homeland by force, later, briefed one of the IIBAF officials, who
came to know from the records as well as from the local senior
citizens of the said IBV areas and the tea-estate. In this context,
it can also be pointed out here that the Indian minority
pro-Pakistan (Muslim) community supporters of the said 04-numbers
of above-noted village and a tea-estate were supporting the illegal
activities of EPR soldiers time-to-time and tortured on the Indian
peoples, who are belonged to Hindu community (Nath-cast) peoples.
Seeing this, ultimately the above numbers of said IBV family of the
Indian community became disheartened and had compelled to leave the
place or their hamlets. I can also remember or be referred here
that at that time, that is, on 01st November, 1963, the above
pro-Pakistan supporters Muslim community peoples of our Lathitilla
village even, hoisted the Pakistani National Flag (PNF). And if
anyone of our people wanted to resist or stop that, he or she was
brutally tortured by the said community peoples. Even, most of the
time also they did it in various occasions, disclosed one of the
friend of Sangram Goala (who presently expired), on 10th April,
1999. Actually, it is fact that a section of peoples of former
Eastern Pakistan, who generally supported Pakistan, betrayed the
Mukti Bahini guerillas, who wanted to liberate their land from the
cruel clutches of Pakistan. But, on that day (01st November, 1963),
when Pakistani supporters of the said Lathitilla hamlet hoisted the
PNF, (hearing these) the higher officials of Masimpur (village
under Cachar District of the Eastern Indian State, Assam) Indian
Army cantonment rushed to the spot to enquire into the matter and
then held a serious meeting and after that made a detailed report
on the said incident and subsequently, sent the report or informed
to higher officials at the headquarter, New Delhi, the capital of
India. The meeting was held between, Major S. K. Chowdhury, Company
Commandant-S. K. Chauhan and Company Commandant of Kukital IBV camp
(under Karimganj district), Chikan Baruah of the Indian armed
forces. In the meantime, the situation turned became tensed and
volatile and in presence of the above three officers of Indian
armed forces, a cross firing was took place again between the
aforesaid two forces IIBAF and the EPR of the above two nations, in
the Lathitilla areas. But, when the situation was became grave, one
of the Indian IBAF Nepali soldier dig a big bunker with his ethnic
weapon Khukri and helped to save the lives of the IIBAF soldiers,
on which he was rewarded or received Presidential Award later by
the Government of India for his work. Local peoples of that area
still remember the above Sepoy (that is, soldier) of the
IIBAF-Indian Army and his brave work, revealed Ramsundar Goala, who
is the denizen of IBV near Lathitilla-Dumabaroi. In this context,
it can be mentioned here that about the Lathitilla village, one of
the website (which is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on 07th
March, 2011 in Bangladesh) claimed, It is true that with the help
of a section of East Pakistan supported peoples, Pakistan Army
soldiers captured the Lathitilla village area and hoisted the PNF.
But, the people (who were supported the Liberation Force)s of
Lathitilla tried to defend their homeland were oppressed inhumanly
by the Pakistani people as well as the above Pakistani soldiers.
During that incident, to save their lives, the resident (around
92-number)s of the abovementioned IBVs Lathitilla and Dumabaroi
fled away and took shelter in the various adjacent areas of the
Patharkandi Block of Karimganj district like Chandkhira Railway
Station, others (about 49-numbers) to Kailaghat area and 30numbers
to 40-numbers of populace shifted in Medli village. Thereafter,
these peoples scattered in different places in and around of that
region for better food, cloth and shelter. But, they received
neither any kind of help from the Indian State Government nor from
the Central Government of India whatsoever.
15
In the year, 1963, being oppressed by the Pakistanis, the owners
of these plots of land came to Indian side with a view to living a
secured life. The land owners thought that in course of time they
would be able to recover those plots of their lands, which was
possessed by Pakistan. But, in vain, ultimately later they got
dispersed and separated from one to other in search of livelihood.
As a result, these unfortunate land owners had to pass their in
utter distress. Some of them were forced to live on public charity
or alms, lamented Nonagenarian Bidyadhar Tripathi, who is the
inhabitant of Akaidam hamlet, which is situated near Lathitilla and
Dumabaroi villages. On the other side, in the year, 1964, according
to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of
India records were concerned, It is fact that after the deployment
of heavily armed EPR forces of Pakistan from 01st week of December,
1964, the situation of the above area ultimately turned into a
fierce conflict between the aforesaid two states (on 11th December,
1964). The aforesaid EPR soldiers started firing at 22:00 pm
towards the Indian villages Lathitilla and Dumabaroi (on 11th
December, 1964) without any provocation. Seeing this, Indian Armys
International Border Patrol Group (IBPG) or International Border
Patrol Force (IBPF) returned to fire towards the Pakistani EPR
soldiers. The fierce clash between the two frontier guard soldiers
continued sporadically all throughout the day. In this incident, an
IBPGI jawan (that is, Soldier) was injured. It is factual (who
received this particular information about the said incident from
the office of the DC, Karimganj District) that there was an
exchange of fire in the year 1965, between the EPR and the IBPG
soldiers and as a result of this, 03-numbers of IBPG jawan were
killed. In a nutshell, I may say, since 1958, the East Pakistan
fired upon Indian villagers without any provocations or without any
causes, pointed out local journalist Ajoy Sutradhar, who lives at
Patharkandi Block of Karimganj district. We heard that during the
war of 1965, between India and Pakistan, around 25-numbers to
27-numbers of Indian Army soldiers were lost their lives or had
given their lives in the hands of Pakistan Army or say, became
martyrs to save our territory from the clutches of foreign hands
(means-Pakistan) or aggressions. Not only that even since then,
08-number section of Pathini Tea Estate had gone under the
(illegally) occupation of Pakistan Army, narrated farmer of
Lathitilla-Dumabaroi IBVs, Rajesh Goala. While remembering the
similar words about the said incidents from the mouth of his
father, another farmer of Lathitilla-Dumabaroi IBVs, Bolen
Bharadwaj briefed, Even, our one of the beloved cultivator Shankar
Goala was shot dead by the EPR (of Pakistan) soldiers. Indeed, at
that time, the situation turned so serious, when the Government of
India didnt pay any heed to it properly or didnt take it seriously;
the above 04-numbers of village people (including the tea-estate)
with the help of others had compelled to inform the J. N.
Chaudhury, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Infantry
Regiment via telegraph/telegram (that is, through a wireless
message) and had given entire report of the ground situation and
reality. Not only that the peoples of the said IBVs even, had to
beg interference from J. N. Chaudhury under the guidance of
Nagendra Kumar Das. Hearing and seeing the situation, J. N.
Chaudhury also responded to it immediately (even after collected
inputs from the various Indian Government Intelligence Agencies and
civil information) and deputed 08,000-numbers of Indian Army
soldier to bring the situation under Indian control. But, to do
that the Indian soldiers had to fight against the invading
Pakistani force in which 03-numbers of the Indian army men had to
lay their life. Till the situation under control, Indian Army was
stayed there around one month on the said 04-numbers of IBVs and
the aforesaid tea-garden areas, expressed the peoples of the above
IBVs and the TE. However, The most awful thing was that, when
Indian Army took into their possession and left the place after
some time, it put Nagendra Kumar Das into an awakened position.
Because, to kill him and his family members, PSF EPR soldiers
vehemently threatened him and his family members severely. As a
result of this, he had compelled to leave his house and took
shelter in nearby Indian Army camp, divulged one of the relative of
the Nagendra Kumar Das of the aforesaid IBV. According to the datas
of the of the Indian Assam State Police Force (IASPF) department
are concern, though, at that time, there was a ceasefire between
the aforesaid East Pakistan of Pakistan and India, which had
effected on 29th March, 1965, but, when India repeatedly offered of
no war pact to Pakistan (at that time), the Pakistan refused to
accept the same. Ultimately it was broken during the fierce
encounter incidents had been started in that particular sector
again in February, 1966, and later in once again occurred in March,
1966. After break of a month, the East Pakistan again started
unprovoked firing in these areas, revealed one of the intelligence
officials of the IASPF department. There was a fierce incident took
place at Lathitilla IBOPon 18th June, 1971 between India and East
Pakistan. After getting proper instruction from Indian Army
(Regiment of Rajputna Rifles) commanding officer Colonel Deb Sen,
the liberation force under the leadership of Captain Rob with the
help of his Mukti Bahini activists and the above Indian Army
soldiers attacked the Lathitilla IBOP at early morning by hurled
grenades and shelling from the artillery. Though, Pakistan army
battalion EPR started counter attack by firing immediately towards
the Indian Army soldiers and the jawans of the Liberation Force
(LF), but couldnt succeed. As a result of this, once Habildar (that
is, a post or rank of Indian Army as well as the Pakistan Army) and
a Sepoy of 22 Number Baloch Regiment, which is an infantry regiment
of Pakistan Army, caught red-handed in the hands of LFs soldiers.
But, 04numbers of jawans of Mukti Bahini (MB) were also injured in
this clash and Lathitilla IBOP came under the control of MB.
16
Although, extensive guerilla actions occurred in this particular
entire Lathitilla-Dumabari sector in the months of June, July and
August of 1971. Meanwhile, MB guerilla fighters and subsequently by
the month of August, 1971, extensively or heavy Indian Regular Army
(more than thousands) merely deployed or increased in the subsector
Boropunji. But, most unfortunate and most astonishing fact is that
at that juncture, major portions of the local populaces of
Lathitilla worked together with the EPR not only to catch the more
and more fighters of MB, Indian Army soldiers and Indian and
Bangladeshi followers but also to capture or get control over
Indian IBOPs. Even, for this, the peoples EPR supporters tied
tin-canes, with the tree branches and began beating the canes to
generate or make sounds the moment MB guerilla fighters entered
into the aforesaid villages. Moreover, with a view to catch the
freedom fighters of Bangladesh, the villagers (who were the
hardcore followers of the EPR of Pakistan) arranged special Ajan
(that is, call to prayer or Muezzins summons to prayer in a mosque)
or Namaj (that is, prayer call for god or worship of god) and
delivered the same vociferously from numbers of Mashjid (that is,
Mosque)s, when the activists of liberation force of Bangladesh
entered into their hamlets. Actually, these methods resulted to
detain of a huge number of LFs by the EPR. However, under the
leadership of Captain Shariful Haque alias Dalim, who was the in
charge of Sub-sector IBOP-Kukital carried on attacks vehemently on
EPR of Pakistan, which ultimately resulted huge damage of IBOP of
Pakistan of the said area Juri and Dikhush in the mid July, 1971
and at last, by August, 1971, Amasid, Kabala, Lubachhara,
Mokamtilla, Nou-nouja, came under the full control of LF of
Bangladesh, claimed the website bangladeshnews.com. Meanwhile,
after 15-months of the Agreement signed between the then PMI, Mrs.
Indira Gandhi and the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh (PMB),
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 16th May, 1974, the father of nation of
Bangladesh, popularly known as Bango Bandhu (means Friend of
Bengal), Sheikh Mujibar Rahaman, with his children (except
daughters Sheikh Hasina Wazed and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, who
were on a goodwill tour or visiting at that time in Europe
continent [specially at the capital of former West Germany State,
Bonn], with Hasinas husband, Late M. A. Wazed Mianh, a nuclear
scientist-cum-researcher at a laboratory), were virtually
assassinated by Bangladesh Military coup, led by Major General
Khaled Mosharraf and his associates. Later, after overthrew the
government, imposed Martial Law (that is, Military dominated
civilian regime). On 03rd November, 1975, though he was also
himself killed in a counter military coup just after 04-days later
07th November, 1975, which installed General Zia-ur-Rahaman of
Bangladesh Army in power, pointed out octogenarian Nishit Ranjan
Das, who lives in district headquarter town, Karimganj. But, as per
the agreement, the new Government of Bangladesh already erected
many numbers of IBP) for demarcating the international
boundary-line (between the two nations) to honour the agreement. Of
them, some IBPs were erected in the abovementioned disrupted
04-numbers of IBV and the tea-estate as well. While on the other
hand, the Bangladeshi peoples already not only built their houses
in the No-Mans Land that situated in between India-Bangladesh
international border but also carried out their cultivation works,
etcetera relentlessly. In Bangladesh side, the IBV-Lathitilla is
now situated under the Kulaura Upazilla of Maulvibazar district.
Land of Pathini TE is a part of Lathitilla and Dumabaroi hamlets.
But, while making of boundary, which had been fixed in the year,
1966, was being treated (or continued) as status quo. Because, the
aforesaid land was under control (administrative) of Bangladesh.
Indeed, the said plots of land were possessed and used by the
inhabitants of Bangladesh. However, most mysterious thing is that
it happened during the Partition (that is, in 1947), when Sir Cyril
Radcliff did it by a single stoke of his pen and as a result, that
abovementioned areas (specially, Lathitilla and the hilly part of
Dumabaroi IBVs) had gone in the possession of East Pakistan
permanently and created dispute between the above two nations
respectively. Those possessed lands or territories were 04-numbers
IBV, which were represented as hamlets (namely Lathitilla,
Dumabaroi, Baro Pathini and Karkhana Pathini with a Tea Garden
Pathini) and the lands of the abovementioned IBVs were also
categorize as Under Adverse Possession of Bangladesh. Since then
the landlords of these so-called enclaves had been persuading both
the Indian Central and Provincial Governments, including Indian
Home Minister, Governor of North East Indian State, Assam, Assam
Accord Department, Indian Assam State Home Commissioner, Secretary
of Axom Chukti Rupayan Bibhag (that is, Implementation of Assam
Accord Department), Indian Assam State Government and all Indian
state (regional), national political parties etcetera to restore
the above Lathitilla and the hilly part of Dumabaroi IBVs within
India; but in vain.
17
(Sketch : Border Security Force of India [BSFI], 1999)
It is fact that few days ago above in that particular
02.874-kilometres (that is, around o3-kilometre) stretch of
international land border areas in Lathitilla-Dumabaroi sector,
which has fallen in between the IBPN1397 (Point-Y) to
IBPN1400/1-RI, hadnt been properly demarcated and rectified and as
a result of that presence of huge gathering made by the land owners
of the above IBVs or dwellers of both sides (whose paternal lands
had fallen into each others territory) time-to-time), with a
view