VHP bandh hits life in Assam

Normal life disrupted in Assam during a statewide bandh called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

The bandth was against the 'government's intention to swap adversely possessed land with Bangladesh during Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's visit'.

The VHP, BJP and ABVP have taken strong exception to Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi's reported comment in 'favour' of swapping of Assam's land with the neighbouring country to facilitate demarcation of the border and completion of border fencing work.

Most of the business establishments and financial institutions remained closed in the state, while buses and taxis were off the roads and national highways during the bandh period.

However, railway and flight services remained unaffected. Regarding his comment, Gogoi claimed that he did not mean that the state's interest will be ignored in such a scenario.

"It is up to the government to settle those long-pending disputes. But, as far as my knowledge goes, we are only going to gain (from the exchange)," Gogoi said.

About 160 acres of area in Boroibari in Assam's Dhubri district is likely to be given away to Bangladesh, and in return Bangladesh will be asked to give up its claim over about 360 acres in Palakhal in Karimganj district except for about 69 acres.

Another area of about 75 acres in Latitila-Dumabari, also in Karimganj district, is likely to be conceded, provided Bangladesh agrees to give up claim over the 360 acres in Palakhal, leaving Assam a gainer.

According to figures submitted to Rajya Sabha by the government last week Bangladesh was in adverse possession of 665 acres of land in the Assam sector. This includes about 160 acres in Dhubri district, and two plots of 360 acres and 145 acres in Karimganj district.