By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State BJP on Monday rejected last month’s land transfer agreement signed between India and Bangladesh, saying that the sentiments of the local people were ignored.
“This swap deal which was arrived between the Centre and Bangladesh for demarcation of the international boundaries between the two countries is against the interest of the local people,” State BJP general secretary Dipayan Chakraborty said in a statement issued here on Monday.
He said that the party is not satisfied with the statement made by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma over the swap deal after his return from Bangladesh.
“It is strange to see that the Chief Minister has not come out with any clarification after villagers residing along the international border raised strong objection to the land transfer deal,” the BJP general secretary added.
Chakraborty claimed that the party leaders, led by their State president HS Syiemlieh, had visited various areas along the international border and ascertained that many of the villagers had strong reservation over the land swap deal.
“People of the State are totally confused over this agreement which was arrived to demarcate the Indo-Bangladesh international border,” he added.
The BJP also demanded a clarification from the Chief Minister on whether the State Government had taken the consent of all the MLAs and MPs from the State before inking the deal.
He further informed that the party would send their report to Rajya Sabha Deputy Opposition leader SS Ahluwalia, who has been deputed by BJP President Nitin Gadkari to lead a Committee to study the land transfer agreement between the two countries.
It may be reminded that the land transfer agreement was signed between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina during the former’s visit to Dhaka in September. Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma had accompanied the Prime Minister to Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the BJP has informed that former Assembly Speaker ED Marak, who has joined the party after resigning from the Congress, has been appointed as one of the vice presidents of the party in the State.