BELONIA / AGARTALA, June 18 (TIWN): In a historic move, India and Bangladesh on June 6 ratified an over 40-year-old land border swap agreement. The land swapagreement envisages transfer of 111 enclaves with a total area of 17,160.63 acres to Bangladesh, while Dhaka is to transfer 51 enclaves with an area of 7,110.02 acres to India. A 6.1-km undefined border stretch will be demarcated. After waiting for several years, a sign of relief has been observed among the residents of Muhurichar, Belonia when DIG and commandant of 168Bn visited the Muhurichar border area to witness the work progress on Thrusday.Reportedly, the temporary pillars were already constructed at the Muhurichar border area. DIG Kuldeep Saini and Commandant Brijesh Kumar of 168 Bn on Thursday visited the area to witness the progress of the work and also to notice, whether the people are facing any kind of problem.The delegates said that within 2 to 3 month of duration the fencing work of Muhurichar border area will be completed. Besides, the fencing work of Sharashima border area and Belonia Integrated Check Post (ICP) are in progress and will be completed within a short period of time.Detailing about the measurement of the area, it has been said that the fencing of Sharashima border area and Belonia Integrated Check Post (ICP) that is from Pillar number 2160 (S) to Pillar number 2161 (S) is done covering 2.2 kilometer of area. Whereas, the fencing of Muhurichar border area will cover 1.6 kilometers of area.As per report, a meet was held at Shillong from June 8 to June 11 on various border related issues. During the meet, in the presence of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF) of Tripura, Meghalaya, Shilchar, Manipur and Assam and delegates of Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) the awaiting decision has been taken.

Sources confirmed that the Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) who was not ready for the border fencing in the concern area, during the meet accepted the proposal and showed green signal for the fencing work to start.

According to the sources report, earlier in the absence of border fence several smuggling cases occurred in the area. Even the locals were haunted with various kind of illicit work happened in the area.

Locals overwhelmed with the decision of the authority and expressed gratitude to all the concern people

The Indian parliament last month unanimously passed the constitution amendment bill to allow operationalisation of the 1974 India-Bangladesh deal and its protocol inked in 2011.

Modi expressed confidence that "with the support of state governments in India, we can reach a fair solution on Teesta and Feni rivers".

The Teesta river deal is the other outstanding issue that Bangladesh is keen to see India agree to.

Modi, announcing the $2 billion line of credit to support infrastructure and other development activities in Bangladesh, said the three agreements on human trafficking, fake Indian currency and maritime safety were a reflection of their growing security cooperation.

Modi said he was conscious of the huge trade imbalance with Bangladesh and that he has assured Hasina that India will do everything to bridge the deficit.

Modi said the two bus services flagged off would connect citizens of the two countries more easily and "our two nations more closely".

He said power supply from India to Bangladesh would grow from 500 MW to 1,100 MW within two years, and added that the 1,320 MW Rampal power project was making progress.

Stressing on connectivity, Modi said Bangladesh's decision to allow transit of power equipment and foodgrain to the Northeast "echoes the strength of your human values and our shared economic opportunities".

Speaking of the sub-regional connectivity, Modi said "we will deepen regional connectivity and cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. There is a natural logic to this arrangement".

Hasina in her statement termed Modi's visit a "historic moment for Bangladesh" and that it would take bilateral ties on a higher trajectory.

She said ratification of the LBA would resolve the problems of the people living in the enclaves for decades.

"We are very grateful," she said.

She praised the leadership of Modi and said the LBA became possible under his leadership. She also expressed thanks on behalf of the people of Bangladesh.

Hasina said Modi's visit has instilled new dynamism confidence in the bilateral relationship.