Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No. 2 Autumn Issue 2017 pp. 59 - 65

Indian Journal of Spatial Science

EISSN: 2249 - 4316 homepage: www.indiansss.org ISSN: 2249 - 3921

Migration to the Desired Homeland: A Case Study of the Chhitmahals, ,

Shalmoli Chakraborty1 Sk. Mafizul Hossain2

1Assitant Teacher, Gaochulka Girls' Junior High School, , Cooch Behar, WB, 2Guest Lecturer, Department of Geography, Arambagh Girls College, Hooghly, India

Article Info Abstract ______Article History Chitmahal or enclaves are geographically area separated from the main land but paying revenue to Received on: it. Enclaves in India and in Bangladesh were created for a variety of historical, political and 08 June 2017 geographical reasons. Its inhabitants did not have any constitutional right and basic amenities for Accepted inRevised Form on: their livelihood for as long as 67 years even after independence. The historical land boundary 17 August 2017 agreement between India and Bangladesh came into effect only on 31st July, 2015. As the enclave AvailableOnline on and from: residents were allowed to choose the nationality of their own, more than 200 families residing in 23 September 2017 erstwhile enclaves in India applied for Indian citizenship and about 922 persons have settled in the ______Camps at Mekhliganj, Haldibari and of , West Bengal. The present Key Words paper focusses on their socio-economic conditions in the light of the availability and quality of Enclave (Chitmahal) Government services. Local administration provides food and helping to complete the necessary Erstwhile Enclave paper work for national identification, employment card and other social services. Apart from Migration these, no other rehabilitation programmes has been undertaken. They are now facing serious Resettlement Camp problems of unemployment and permanent citizenship. Even, many of them could not sell their land Land Boundary Agreement while coming back to India from the Chhitmahals in Bangladesh. Now they are completely 'landless' and 'jobless' and confused about their decision to migrate to Indian main land.

© 2017 ISSS. All Rights Reserved ______

Introduction people through official coordination was the first of its kind Enclave or Exclave (Chitmahal in Bengali) means a portion on the sub continent since partition. About 922 persons of of territory of one state surrounded by the territory of another, erstwhile Indian enclaves have been settled in three as viewed by the surrounded territory (OED, 2003). Naha resettlement camp situated at Mekhliganj, Haldibari and (2011) has written in his article that total 223 enclaves are Dinhata in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, India and there in different countries of Asia. Both India & granted as Indian citizenship under Indian Citizenship Act neighbouring Bangladesh were suffering much from enclave 1955(by Incorporation of territory). Though the local problems. There were a total number of 162 territories within administration are providing food, job card, doing necessary India & Bangladesh, which are commonly known as to complete the paper work for the identification of their Chitmahal in Bengali (Rahaman, Murshed and Sultana, nationality, and other social services, the camps are encircled 2013). On 31 July 2015, the historical Land Boundary by wired fencing and authorities have restricted the resident's agreement was implemented between India and Bangladesh. mobility (Shewly, 2016). As the enclave residents were allowed to choose citizenship of either nation by 31st July, 2015, more than 200 families Objectives of Study residing at Indian enclaves applied for Indian citizenship, The objectives of the present study are as follows: while none of the residents of Bangladeshi enclaves choose to 1. To know the historical reasons behind the creation of go to Bangladesh. 922 people from 201 families choose to be enclaves and historical background of relocated to India. The Indian high commission in Dhaka implementation of enclave exchange. authorised and issued the travel pass for migrating through 2. To analyse the basis of decision to choose the Indian particular border check point. This cross border movement of citizenship. www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 59 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No. 2 Autumn Issue 2017 pp. 59 - 65

3. To know the availability and standard of Rangpur. As far as historical records are concerned the little government service and future proposal for the territories were apparently the result of confused outcome of a wholesome development of new citizens. 1713 treaty between the King of Cooch Behar and the Mughal 4. To analyse the present social and economic Empire. Possibly the kingdom and the Mughal ended a war condition of the resettlement camps. without determining a boundary for what territories had been 5. To identify the problems, facing by the resettled gained or lost. (Evgen Vinokurov, 2005).After the partition of camp dwellers and their demands. India in 1947, Rangpur was joined to East Pakistan and 6. To realise the present perception of the inhabitants Cooch Behar district was merged in 1947 with India. of the three camps regarding their decision to choose With the passage of time, there have been various reasons for Indian citizenship. the creation of enclaves.Among them, there have been lots of wars followed by peace pacts between Cooch king and Methodology Mughal and Bhutanis. There have also been agreements In order to conduct this research both quantitative and between British company and Cooch king and relation qualitative data were collected. The quantitative data has between Bhutanese and English dynasty, to contribute in the been collected through questionnaire survey. The no of matter of creating the enclaves. Among the various reasons questions were very few because of the almost same socio- for the creation of enclaves, the main reason was the economic conditions of the residents of those three camps. demarcation of two Bengals by Sir Radcliff and his five Questionnaire, containing both open and close ended member team. The Bengal Boundary Commission headed by questions, was surveyed following simple random sampling. Sir Radcliff submitted his final report on 17th August 1947 A questionnaire, containing series of affective questions, had (Saha, 2013). D. Chaki (2011) has written in his book that been set out to gather information from erstwhile enclave after the thirteen years of separation of the country, during an people, Govt. officials or representatives and all other interview Sir Radcliff said “ I was so quashed that I had no concerned persons or authorities including previous time to go into the details, even accurate district maps were researchers, academicians, and experts in relation to the not there and what material there was, it was inadequate. matter of the undergoing study. News paper reports, What could I do in one and half month?”. literatures journals were studied vigorously before finalizing the design of the questionnaire. Quantitative data were History of Enclave Exchange collected by keeping a diary and taking essential notes on it The desire to 'de-enclave' most of the enclaves were during the field survey. Some interviews and group manifested in 1958 agreement between Jawaharlal Nehru and discussions with local representatives, local leaders and aged Feroz Khan Noon , the respective prime minister for an persons were also conducted in the study area to complete the exchange between India and Pakistan without considering study. Secondary information used in the paper was collected loss or gain of territory. But the matter of the fact was that from different national and international research papers, Supreme Court need a constitutional amendment to transfer journals, articles, newspapers, govt published data and report the land. As a result 9th amendment was introduced to including internet sources. Said field work survey had been facilitate the implementation of the agreement. The conducted from Feb, 2017 to June, 2017. All the resettlement amendment could not be approved because of an objection camps were chosen for field sample survey which includes 52 raise against the transfer of South Berubari enclave. Due to families of Haldibari, 16 families of Mekhligang and 26 the not rectification of the agreement, the negotiation has families of Dinhata camp. been restarted after the appearance of East Pakistan as Bangladesh through Bangladesh Liberation war. StudyArea The land boundary agreement was signed on 16th May 1974 The present study was conducted within the three between Indira Gandhi and Sekh Mujibur Rahaman. Under rehabilitation camps. The Indian government has arranged the agreement, India retained the Berubari union no 12 temporary shelters for the relocated families in three enclave whereas Bangladesh retained the Dahagram. A 178- resettlement camps in the block area of by-85 meter (584ft by 279ft) corridor, famous as Tin Bigha Haldibari, Mekhligang, and Dinhata in Cooch Behar district Corridor, was provided toAngrapota exclave to get the access of West Bengal, India. The latitudinal and longitudinal with Indian main land. Bangladesh was as quick as to rectify extension of Haldibari, Mekhliganj and Dinhata are 26.33°N the agreement, where India failed to do so. (Berubari Union 88.77°E ,26.35°N 88.92°E and 26.13°N 89.47°E and Exchange of Enclave, March 14, 1960). The list of the respectively. These camps are administrated by the concerned enclaves was prepared by the concerned two countries in district of West Bengal. These camps are intended to operate 1997. Two joint Boundary working groups were formed to for two years or until permanent settlement are built by the work out on the details of enclaves in the year of 2001.Ajoint government of India. census was also carried out in May, 2007. In September 2011 India signed the additional protocol of 1974 land boundary History of Enclaves agreement with Bangladesh. Both of the nations declared an According to a popular legend, the enclaves were used as intention to swipe off the 162 enclaves, giving opportunity to stakes in card or chess games centuries ago between two the residents to choice their nationality (NDTV News June regional kings, the Raja of Cooch Behar and the Maharaja of 2015). According to the agreement, India received 51 of the www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 60 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No. 2 Autumn Issue 2017 pp. 59 - 65

71 Bangladeshi enclaves that are inside the Indian main dwellers, which remain in their home land in Indian enclaves land(7110.2 Acres) whereas Bangladesh received 95 to 101 in Bangladesh; as a result they opted for resettlement in no of enclaves out of 103 Indian enclaves(111 chits out of 119 Indian main land. The religious sentiment, “India is for chits) which are inside the Bangladeshi main land(17160.63 Hindus and Bangladesh is for Muslims” might be played an Acres). (Ministry of ExternalAffairs). important role on the migration of the people, who opted for Apparently Bangladesh retained its Dahagram andAngrapota resettlement. It signifies the importance of religious identity exclave. According to July, 2010 joint census there were in the construction of nations and boundaries. 14215 people residing in Bangladesh enclave in India and From Table 2, it is clear that the migrations from 19 erstwhile 37269 people residing in Indian enclave in Bangladesh. The enclaves in Bangladesh to Indian mainland are Hindu people, residing in those enclaves without any nationality, dominating migration. Out of the total 922 residents from 19 were allowed to choose their nationality.( Indo- Asian News erstwhile Indian enclaves who settled in Haldibari, Service, 11 march 2013). The Constitution Bill, 2013 was Mekhligang and Dinhata camp 82.21 per cent is Hindu introduced in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian whereas only 15.51 percent are Muslims and 2.28 percent are parliament on18 December, 2003. The parliament panel Christian. The Dasiarchara enclave is the exception one standing committee of external affairs approved the bill in where out of 211 inhabitants who are now in Dinhata camp November 2014. Then the Rajya Sabha approved the 116 persons are Muslims and 105 persons are Hindu. constitutional amendment on 6 Mayth 2015 and the Loksabha Religion, however, was not the only motivation, enclaves approved the same on the following day. residents also considered the deep rooted attachment to the On 6 Juneth 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had place where they had lived for generations- as evidenced by rectified the agreement during his visit to Dhaka, the capital the vast majority who chose not to leave. For those who opted of Bangladesh. In the presence of Modi and his Bangladeshi to move to India, the stronger economy of India and the counterpart Sekh Hasina, the foreign secretaries of both the perception about greater job opportunity was one of the major countries had signed the instrument of the land exchange. The factors behind the migration. physical exchange of the enclaves was implemented in phases between 31 Julyst th 2015 and 30 June, 2016. The Nature of Services provided to the Camp Dwellers enclaves stand exchanged on the midnight of 31 July,st 2015 In December 2015, the Indian cabinet approved a three to five and the transfer of enclave resident was completed on 30 th year rehabilitation package to aid the integration of former November 2015. (The Hindu 13 December 2015). enclave residents and territory with funding of Rs1005.99 crore INR (approx US $150 million). These packages are for Choice of Indian Citizenship physical development of the enclaves and benefits for Belonging and national identity in India and Bangladesh are adjacent people to enclaves. Gruel kitchen was set up at each complex, historically rooted in Hindu-Muslim feuds and the resettlement camps for one month duration and ration division of India in 1947first and foremost on the basis of consisting of 30 kgs of Rice, 5kgs of Daal, 5ltrs of religion. Politically tailored, religion base division pushed kerosene,1kg of Milk powder, 5 ltrs of Mustered oil and 1.5 millions of peoples to move out of the nearly independent of iodized salt per family per month has been provided since state where they would be a minority (Muslims in India January 2016. Residents of the former enclaves have been moved to Pakistan, while Hindus migrated to the opposite taken in the mainstream. Under social security Schemes direction). At that time, Muslim in India and Hindus in following measures have been taken by the district Pakistan lived in fear of persecution. The enclaves were no administration: exception in such case. 1. 100 percent coverage under Khadyasathi Scheme. By the time of exchange in 2015, many of these living in the 2. 100 percent coverage under AADHAR, Job cards Indian enclaves in Bangladesh were Muslims from across the and EPIC. border who, following the partition had traded there land in 3. Most of erstwhile enclave dwellers are employed India with the Hindus living in the enclaves in Bangladesh. under MGNREGA ( total 2687 no of job cards have The Hindus thus moved into the Indian mainland whereas the provided till d ate) Muslims moved into the Indian enclaves situated in the 4. Land survey has been completed for the erstwhile Pakistan, Bangladesh. In most instances these Muslims were enclaves and infrastructural developments are being unaware the existence of the enclaves and the realities of done for the enclaves and the district of Cooch Behar enclave life, believing they had acquired land in Pakistan as a whole to the tune of Rs 1006 crore INR. itself. Such exchanges of land and nationality began soon 5. Construction work of Joyee Bridge (Rs 415 crore) after partition and continued irregularly for decades (Shewly, connecting Haldibari and Mekhliganj is under 2016). process. With the breakthrough in 2015, enclave dwellers considered a 6. Drinking water facilities (Rs 73 crore INR) is being multitude of factors in deciding which citizenship is to provided by creating spot water source, bore well, acquire. Entrenched social division played a significant role hand pumps and laying of piped water line with in decision making process of the enclave dwellers to decide water reservoirs. whether to resettle across borders or remain in their home 7. Electrification (Rs 66 crore INR) has been done in lands. The environment became too hostile for some Hindu 30 populated enclaves and household electric www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 61 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No. 2 Autumn Issue 2017 pp. 59 - 65

connections by installing electric meter and being Motia Rahman, resident of Indian enclave Dahala given for 2867 families of enclaves. , and his wife Elema Bibi, resident of Cooch Behar 8. Sub divisional hospital of Dinhata, Mathavanga and district, thought they would finally be able to live together Haldibari rural hospital are being upgraded from after 17 years of marriage. Now, after the swipe off the 430 to 700 no of beds (Rs 25 crore INR). Existing enclaves, Motia is living at Dinhata camp and is not allowed health facilities in these hospitals have been given a to live with his wife. As because there is no name of Elema in facelift. the final head count made in Bangladesh on 2011, Elema has 9. Road connectivity (Rs 91 crore) through pakka road the permission only to visit her husband in the camp. The 2011 and culvert are being provided. headcount took place only for three days and nobody has the 10. New bus terminus (Rs 40 crore) is being constructed prior information regarding the same. 'As a result many of us at Dinhata, Mathavanga, Mekhliganj and Haldibari. have had to leave our family members behind while others 11. Permanent enclave housing (Rs 88crore) for enclave haven't come to India because they couldn't” (Economic returnees are being constructed at three locations Times, Delhi, 25 November, 2015). Inhabitants are also (Dinhata, Mekhliganj and Haldibari). apprehensive about another thing- the left behind land. Land 12. Educational and community infrastructure are being prices had stagnated in the enclaves due to lack of buyers from set up in enclave area( Rs 24 crore) up gradation of outsides of the enclaves and when they finally left for India, 40 primary and high schools, construction of 25 that land got freed. Many of the migrants were not able to sell Anganwadi centre, 7 community halls having 250 their plots in time. With the land swap India and Bangladesh seat capacity , play ground and market sheds are were allowed to take control of respective enclaves in their constructed in enclaves (Report for the Hon'ble territory and the government became the new owner of the Chief Minister of W.B). land. Many of the migrants have given a detailed list of their Government has finalised the decision of making flats for land along with associated paper work to the District resettle residents from erstwhile enclave. Flat building administration requesting that to ensure a fare price for their (Permanent Settlement) will be two storied. One block lands. consists of eight flats, which means in one block eight The administration of Cooch Behar district said that the families could live. In a flat their will have two bedrooms, two Bangladesh government has promised to buy the land at toilets, one kitchen room, one large drawing room and a market prices and ensure that the money would be transferred balcony. The size of each flat will be 966 sq. ft. (Sangbad promptly to those who have chosen to adopt the Indian Pratidin, 9 December 2016). citizenship. They have been allotted one room per family. The problem arises when they counted all 12 persons, consisting Temporary Structures (Camp) for New Citizens of three brothers with their family, as a single family. One of The administration has built temporary structures for them at the important issues that arises worry among the camp Haldibari, Dinhata & Mekhliganj in Cooch Behar District. dwellers is the lack of job opportunity. Neither there is any The largest camp with 91 units has been built at Haldibari. such reserved job for the migrated people nor any alternative The Mekhliganj camp has became home of 200 people from job opportunities initiated by the Government till date. “If we 49 families & The Dinhata camp has become home of 211 work as wage labour for 100 or 150 rupees a day, as we are people. On a Six-acre land stretching on either side, tiny desperate for work, it ruins the local job market. So the local homes stand on top elevated concrete platforms on 14 neat farm workers tell us to stay home, as they charge 250rupees or rows. At the edge of the camp there is a playground with more for a day's work” (Naresh Barman, resident of Dinhata colourful swings, slides and climbing ropes. It is also camp told to The Economic times 25 November, 2015). surrounded by a dining hall, offices of government District administration has arranged a work opportunity in a representatives and an overhead water tank, within the jute mill nearer to Kolkata but the dwellers refused to move boundary. Outside a platoon of BSF and officers of the district because of low wage structure and fear of “being permanently police are constantly on patrol to ensure the safety of the displaced” from home, where they had just arrived. migrants. The structure appear as “make shift refugee camps” The quantity of food grains, provided for them, was a than a temporary housing facility for the new citizens of the problematic issue- a family consisting of 8 or 10 members is country, said by Diptiman Sengupta, secretary of the Indo only given as much food grains as the family of 1 or 2 Bangla Enclave Exchange Coordination Committee, which members is. The remaining they have to buy from the local has been fighting for the enclave exchange for the past few market. But without any saving most camp dwellers cannot decades. afford to do that.. Another problem is the position of police check post outside Mekhligang camp. Though district Unresolved Issues administration promised to remove the camp, however it is During field survey, it had been observed that they are facing yet to be done. Even on a Sunday when a Bangladeshi citizen many problems, as follows— Nagendranath Barman, who holds a proper passport and visa, Each and every member of the family was not enlisted while came to visit his relatives in the camp, he was told to stay the initial list was prepared, which has now been finalised.As outside of the camp by the constable manning the check post. a result the left out members of the family are unable meet (Said a resident to Economics times Delhi, 25 November their near and dear ones due to nationality has been decided. 2015). www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 62 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No. 2 Autumn Issue 2017 pp. 59 - 65

People's Perception on their Decision to migrate to completing a process of land, population exchange that began their Desired Homeland in the 1950's. With the land exchange come to a transfer of During the present study, one of the major focuses of the population, for nearly 1000 of Indians in Bangladesh, opted to questionnaire survey and group discussion was to understand be relocated to India for stronger economy and the perception the people's pulse regarding their decision of migration from of greater job prospect and economic opportunities. Apart the erstwhile enclave of Bangladesh to the resettlement camp from the affirmation of national citizenship identity, no other in Indian main land. People of erstwhile Indian enclaves duly fundamental rehabilitation programme has yet been initiated got their voter ID card and AADHAR card in support of their by the government of India for the erstwhile Bangladeshi identity as Indian citizen after resettling in Indian mainland. enclave people till date. Neither any permanent shelter has yet Government of India has arranged temporary been provided to them; nor has any job reservation policy or accommodations for them by setting up of three enclave alternative job opportunity yet been procured for them. The resettlement camps in the district of Cooch Behar, west district Magistrate of Cooch Behar P. Ulluganathan promised Bengal, India. The free electricity facility and essential food, that the remaining issues will be addressed soon. It is true that commodities are being provided to them trough rationing many challenges remain including finding employment, system. Yet they are scaring of their permanent settlement in school enrolment for the children, and land allocation for Indian mainland. They are demanding that,” we should be some farmer enclave residents of the camps after more given small pieces of land to construct houses rather than service, such as electricity and access to government than apartment, because essentially we are people from a rural they had before. However, nearly 7 decades without background rearing cattle and poultry is an essential part of governance problems related to lawlessness, landholding, our existence.” said Asman Goni, who resides in the Dinhata complexities and the influence of local politics might not be camp. (Economic Times, Delhi, 25 November, 2015). Some so easily resolved. And it remains to be seen if the complex of the resettled people to India felt to sell their land in history of the enclave will end in success. Bangladesh and have filed a petition to the Cooch Behar district administration regarding this issue with details of References their properties to ensure the ownership and to ensure to sell 1. Bhattacharya, D (2017), “A Rarely Told Gloomy the land at market price. At the same time the Indian Saga of Resurrected Nowhere People Earlier Lived government is searching for land, it can acquire and allocate in No-man's Land”, Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Vol.22, February 2017, p23-32 to resettled families (Shewly, 2016). 2. D.M, Cooch Behar dated 3rd April,2017: Report for As neither any job reservation has been made for these Hon'ble Chief Minister, W.B on “Enclave migrated people of erstwhile Indian enclave nor the job Development Progress” opportunities have been initiated, they were feeling confused 3. Economic Times ( Delhi), November 25, 2015 regarding their decision for migrating to Indian mainland. In 4. Indo Asian News Service ( IANS) March 11,2013, erstwhile Indian enclaves, where they lived in during last Proposed Enclave Exchange with Bangladesh will 67years, they had their own land for cultivation. They could be National Loss (BJP) move to Bangladeshi land in search of their bread. According 5. Judgment and Order (March 14, 1960): The to them, they can hardly get any opportunity for finding any Berubari Union and Exchange of Enclave vs suitable job after migrating in Indian mainland, where they Reference under Article 143(1) of the Constitution are completely “landless as well as jobless” (Bhattacharya, of India. 2017). After the one and half year of getting the Indian 6. Ministry of ExternalAffairs (01.03.2015): India and Bangladesh Land BoundaryAgreement, pp20-21. Citizenship, several enclave dwellers want to go back to 7. Naha, S (2011): Nai Rajya-r Basindara, Arambha Bangladesh as they are miffed over the lack of job and other Patrika,Kolkata, WB. opportunities in India. According to PTI “those who have 8. NDTV News (June 2015), Thousands celebrate come from Indian enclaves which were situated in historic India Bangladesh border pact. Bangladesh are feeling alienated here. They don't have either 9. Oxford English Dictionary,2003 any6 job opportunities or proper source of income. How will 10. Saha, S (2013): The Socio-economic condition of they secure their future? So they feel that going back to Indo-Bangla Enclaves, International Journal of Bangladesh is the best option to secure their future. (Oristhias Scientific and Engineering Research, 4(7) p.p-1434- 2015). “Two years have passed since we became Indian 1435 citizens, but our life are confined within the government 11. Sangbad Protidin, December 9, 2016. organised settlements. To start with, we got job cards but there 12. Shewly, H. J. (2016), India and Bangladesh swap is no job. After the initial support we now get rationed food Territory, Citizens in Landmark Enclave Exchange. Extracted from E. Vinokurov (2005), “ Theory of grains and fuel and have to arrange the rest for our daily Enclaves” . Migration policy institute: Enclave needs, how do we do it?” said MIjanur Rahaman a resident of stories and case studies, Lexington Books,pp-281 the former Indian enclave Dasiarchara. 13. The Hindu (13 December 2015): Land Pact Rollout in Eleven Months. Conclusion India and Bangladesh formally exchanged 162 enclaves on August 1, 2015 ending a centuries old territorial anomaly and

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Table – 1: Details of the Rehab Camps for the People migrated from Erstwhile Indian Enclave of Bangladesh

Name Location in Erstwhile Indian Enclave Entry Gate No of No of inhabitants Camp Cooch Behar, where from they have Family, Male Female Total West Bengal, migrated accommo India dated in the Camp Haldibari Haldibari Garati-78,Natoktoka-32, Haldibari – 98 253 234 487 Rehab Municipality Beluadanga-34,Kajoldighi-36, Chilahati Camp Block Balapara-Khagrabari, Dahola- Khagrabari, Salbari Mekhliganj Mekhliganj Gotamari Chit-135, Gotamari Changraban 22 97 98 195 Rehab Municipality Chit-136, Lotamari-14, dha – Camp Block Baskata-112,115,119, Burimari Kharkharia-15 Dinhata Dinhata Chotogaraljhora-149, Sahebganj 36 159 146 305 Rehab Municipality Dasiarchara-150 – Camp Block Bagbandar Source: Enclave cell of the office of District Magistrate, Cooch Behar

Table – 2: Religionwise 922 Erstwhile Indian Enclave Dwellers Sl No Chhit (Enclave) No Chit (Enclave) Name Hindu Muslim Christian 1 3 Balapara Khagrabari 4 - - 2 115 Bash Kata 25 - - 3112Baskata51- 4 119 Baskata 101 - - 5 34 Beluadanga 7 - - 6 149 Choto Garaljhora-II 00 24 - 7 1 Dahala Khagrabari 220 - 21 838Daikata17-- 9 150 Dasiarchara 105 116 - 10 78 Garati 4 - - 11 135 Gotamari Chit 34 - - 12 136 Gotamari Chit 28 - - 13 36 Kajadighi 3 - - 14 15 Korkhoria 00 1 - 15 2 Kotbhagri 165 1 - 16 14 Lotamari 3 - - 17 41 Nazirganj 10 - - 18 42 Nazirganj 20 - - 19 32 Natoktoka 7 - - Total 758 143 21 Source: Enclave cell of the office of District Magistrate, Cooch Behar

Table – 3: List of Land Holdings by Resident of the Enclave Dasiarchara (Chit No.150) Sl Land holder Khatiyan Amount Sl Land holder Khatiyan Amount of No No of Land No No Land (decimal) (decimal) 1 Mijanur Rhaman 917 205 20 Harekrishna Barman 14 9 2 Saroar Alom 917 205 21 Akalima Begam 932 53 3 Nazrul Islam 946 28 22 Mojammel Haque 934 8 4 Saiyad Ali 943,794, 61 23 Hamida Begam 934 8 754,752 5Haricharan 93 16 24 Gojen Barman 2 320 Mohanta 6 Bishnu Mohanta 93 17 25 Ganesh Barman 2 565 7 Jorina Begam 938 17 26 Kartik Barman 2 33 8 Harekrishna 12,19 25 27 Mintu Khandakar 935 10 Barman 9 Kamini Kanta 3 33 28 Joymal Abedin 940 9 10 Subaran Roy 3 33 29 Mujibur Rahman 945,708 128 11 Minal Barman 3,10 59 30 Morjina Begam 110 6 12 Dhirendra Barman 7 138 31 Badiar jamal 6 13 Anukul Barman 10 9 32 Mofij Uddin 2019 11 14 Anila Barman 10 8 33 Narayan Barman 501,502, 37 503,504, 508 15 Banikanta Barman 11,4 118 34 Krishna Adhikari 514,515, 19 507 16 Phanindranath 20 8 35 Sridam Adhikari 514,515, 19 Barman 507 17 Uday Barman 20 8 36 Suman Adhikari 514,515, 19 507 18 Surendranath 14,685,67 62 37 Paresh Barman 513,510 200 Barman 0 19 Khalilur Rahman 932 18 Source: Data provided by Mijanur Rahman, Dasiarchara unit President of Indian Enclave United Council (IEUC) www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 64 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No. 2 Autumn Issue 2017 pp. 59 - 65

Fig. 1: Location Map of the Study Area

Shalmoli Chakraborty Sk. Mafizul Hossain Assitant Teacher, Gaochulka Girls' Junior High School Guest Lecturer, Department of Geography Kumarganj, Cooch Behar, West Bengal Arambagh Girls College, Hooghly Email-sc halmolich@gmail. om Email- [email protected] www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 65 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260