AGARTALA/BELONIA, May 14 (TIWN): 50 year-old dispute over Muhurichar has been ended at last with border inhabitants of Tripura expressing displeasure over the divide of the land. As per the agreement, a part of Muhurichar would go to Bangladesh while another portion would remain with India. Once Heavy exchange of fire between India and the then East Pakistan was a routine affair in the 60s’ over Muhurichar, but Land Agreement Bill (LAB) instead brought a major deficit to at least 100 farmers of Muhurichar.

According to this agreement, the sandy land of Muhuri char would be handed over to Bangladesh. On the other hand, Chandannagar enclave of Kamalpur would remain in India. Pursuant to the Indira-Mujib agreement of 1974, the Center of River Muhuri was declared as the international Indo-Bangla border.

For a long time, Indian farmers sustained their livelihood by cultivation activities on Muhuri Char. Muhuri comprises an agricultural land estimating 33.27 acres. 19 families reside on that agricultural land with proper documents whereas 57 families reside without proper documents.  26.74 acres of Muhuri is a demesne. 3.79 acre of Muhuri is owned by the Public Works Department (PWD). Yet, the sandy land of Muhuri will be handed over to Bangladesh.

However, though expressing satisfaction over the move, Tripura Revenue Minister Badal Chowdhury on Saturday said with the clearing of the LBA, a 50 year-old dispute over Muhurichar has been ended, but the land divide has brought growing hurdles for the concerned farmers especially.

A large figure of framers’ land at Muhurichar is all set to divide in Bangladesh part. Locals were witnessed expressing displeasure over the issue as it has brought a major deficit to the farmers’ production.

One local farmer said, “If the Muhurichar divides to the Bangladesh part the farmers would face a major hurdle with our agricultural farming.”

Minister Badal Chowdhury, however, said recently that notification has not been issued how much area of Muhurichar would go to Bangladesh side. He hinted that cremation ground for Hindus, burial ground for Muslims and Nath community of Muhurichar would remain on the Indian side.

During the final years of British Rule, just before independence and as part of the Radcliffe Award, Chandannagar was shown as a part of Sylhet District (in erstwhile East Pakistan) in a map released on August 14, 1947.

However, the rulers of Tripura never really agreed with the delineation and residents of the village preferred to remain with the then king and kept paying taxes to their rulers. According to a section of experts, the bill will also help in resolving the long-standing problem of land in adverse possession.