Thursday 4 December 2014

Chief Minister in Cooch Behar

COOCH BEHAR, 4 December : The dwellers of 162 Chhitmahals (enclaves) of India and Bangladesh welcomed the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nayarhat in Cooch Behar today. She addressed a huge gathering at Dakuarhat under Nayarhat Gram Panchayat in Dinhata Sub-division this afternoon today. The place is near India Bangladesh border and there are a few Chhitmahals nearby. This is the first time a CM addressed a gathering in such a place.

On behalf of the enclave dwellers the Bharat Bangladesh Enclave Exchange Coordination Committee (BBEECC) handed over a bouquet of 162 red-rose to the CM for her positive initiative toward enclave exchange between India and Bangladesh. Mentionworthy, there are 162 enclaves, 111 are of India and 51 are of Bangladesh. (An enclave of a country is a portion of land surrounded by land of other country.)

The CM expressed her desire of resolution of enclave problem and said the relation of two Bengals was sweet. It is still sweet and will be so. West Bengal Government already agreed to the proposal of enclave exchange and that was communicated to the Centre. The CM also spoke of the need of rehabilitation package for the enclave residents and their justified rights.

During her speech the CM highlighted the need of communal harmony. In this context she mentioned the names of Iqbal, Rabindranath and Nazrul. She also talked about Panchanan Barma and said that he was not merely a leader of the Rajbonshis, he was a leader of all people. She asked people of all religious beliefs to live peacefully.

The CM announced foundation of a bunch of new projects like Rs 20-crore Mother and Child Hub at MJN Hospital in Cooch Behar, bird sanctuary at Rasik-bil mini-zoo complex in Tufanganj, Haldibari Stadium, 500-seat auditorium in Cooch Behar etc. She also announced inauguration of a number of projects and services from the meeting dais. She asked her party workers to work for the people sincerely. Bengal will be the pathfinder of the India, Mamata hoped.