Formation of enclaves in India and Bangladesh was the shocking outcome of historical partition of India in the year 1947. As a dire consequence, inhabitants of enclaves of both the countries were enforced to subsist in ‘no-man’s land’ as ‘nowhere people’ till 67 years after India’s independence and partition just due to derision of historical and political destiny. These marginalized people were unfairly deprived from getting basic amenities, rights, opportunities and Governmental support from either country until signing of the historic Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between India and Bangladesh in the year 2015.
As per LBA, 2015, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves inside Indian territory and 111 Indian enclaves inside Bangladesh territory were actually transferred to each other with effect from the midnight of 31 July 2015. A study had been undertaken through extensive field survey at the enclaves of both the countries to assess and analyze pre-LBA, 2015 execution status of and post-execution impact of LBA, 2015 on the people of these enclaves. For the purpose, questionnaire survey, personal interaction, group discussion, interview had been conducted to gather information from enclaves’ people, Govt. officials, representatives of enclaves’ union, public representatives etc. For the theoretical part of the study, various journals, periodicals, newspapers, reference books, Govt. reports, articles, reports of previous researchers, reports of electronic and print media etc. had been extensively considered.
Entire population of erstwhile Indian and Bangladeshi enclaves covered under the study genially welcomed exchange of enclaves through LBA, 2015, as they got rid of their exiled life of long 67 years in enclaves by virtue of LBA, 2015. But even after execution of LBA, 2015, major problematic issues in these erstwhile enclaves have not yet been resolved; nor could enclaves’ people enjoy the quality of life enjoyed by their neighbours living just around these erstwhile enclaves. All the erstwhile enclaves’ people are still feeling anxious regarding their safe resettlement in these erstwhile enclaves. Most of them have not yet been satisfied regarding Govt. initiatives for infrastructural development within erstwhile enclaves as well as regarding their safe rehabilitation in erstwhile enclaves.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 : Introduction about India-Bangladesh Enclaves
Chapter 2 : Background of Creation of India-Bangladesh Enclaves
Chapter 3 : The Process to De-enclave
Chapter 4 : Objectives and Location of the Study
Chapter 5 : Materials and Methodology
Chapter 6 : Status of Enclaves’ People during Pre-LBA, 2015 Execution Period
Chapter 7 : Status of Enclaves’ People during Post-LBA, 2015 Execution Period
Chapter 8 : Comparative Analysis of the Status of Erstwhile Enclaves’ People of India and Bangladesh
Chapter 9 : Conclusions
Research Objectives and Focus
This study aims to assess the ground-level socio-economic status of the residents of the erstwhile Indian and Bangladeshi enclaves, evaluating their situation both before and after the implementation of the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
- Historical background of the enclave formation post-1947.
- Analysis of living conditions and "statelessness" prior to the 2015 exchange.
- Evaluation of the impact of the Land Boundary Agreement on the residents' quality of life.
- Assessment of infrastructural development and rehabilitation efforts by the respective governments.
- Comparison of the current status of enclave dwellers in India and Bangladesh.
Excerpt from the Book
Chapter 1 : Introduction about India-Bangladesh Enclaves
It is really hard to believe that there were some slivers of land in independent India and Bangladesh till just three years ago, where country’s independence defined its people in different approach, resulting in creation of a separate class of ‘stateless people’ within these two neibouring countries. On a fine morning, a country had been divided into two parts, intersecting hearts of a section of marginal people living adjacent to the border line of divided eastern India, resulting in drawing of a porous border which virtually seized countless golden days from their lives, making them marginalized “enclaves’ people” only. Although these people were not at all responsible for their such awful fortune; yet they were forced to live in ‘no-man’s land’ as ‘nowhere people’ till 67 years after India’s independence and partition just due to derision of historical and political destiny. These ill-fated people were the people of enclaves of India and Bangladesh with combined population of more than 53,000.
Enclave or exclave (Chhitmahal in Bengali language) refers to a portion of territory of one country, which is wholly separated from its mainland, completely surrounded by the territory of foreign country. More clearly, the land geographically completely separated from its mainland and is fully cordoned by the foreign state. “From the point of view of the state in which it is located, is termed as an enclave and the state to which it belongs to is an exclave” (Schendel, 2005). But for the purpose of the study undertaken, two terms enclave and exclave are used synonymously. It is interesting to note that most of the enclaves of the world laying in India and Bangladesh during the recent past; although enclaves occurred frequently throughout the history and particularly Western Europe was rich in enclaves. Physically, enclaves in India and Bangladesh were found in three different forms, such as ‘1st-order enclave’; ‘2nd-order enclave’ or ‘counter-enclave’ (i.e. enclave within an enclave) and ‘3rd-order enclave’ or ‘counter-counter enclave’ (i.e. an enclave laying within a counter-enclave).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1 : Introduction about India-Bangladesh Enclaves: This chapter introduces the historical and geographical context of the enclaves and defines the concept of 'stateless people' in the region.
Chapter 2 : Background of Creation of India-Bangladesh Enclaves: This section explores the historical origins of the enclaves, tracing back to pre-colonial and Mughal-era land disputes and princely states.
Chapter 3 : The Process to De-enclave: This chapter details the political and diplomatic milestones, including the Land Boundary Agreements of 1974 and 2015, leading to the final exchange of territories.
Chapter 4 : Objectives and Location of the Study: This chapter outlines the research goals and describes the specific geographic locations within India and Bangladesh chosen for the field survey.
Chapter 5 : Materials and Methodology: This section explains the empirical research approach, including the primary and secondary data collection methods and field survey strategies.
Chapter 6 : Status of Enclaves’ People during Pre-LBA, 2015 Execution Period: This chapter analyzes the dire living conditions, lack of basic amenities, and administrative neglect faced by enclave residents prior to the 2015 treaty.
Chapter 7 : Status of Enclaves’ People during Post-LBA, 2015 Execution Period: This chapter evaluates the immediate impacts of the exchange, focusing on citizenship acquisition and the residents' post-exchange experiences.
Chapter 8 : Comparative Analysis of the Status of Erstwhile Enclaves’ People of India and Bangladesh: This chapter compares the rehabilitation and development progress achieved by the Indian and Bangladeshi governments in the former enclaves.
Chapter 9 : Conclusions: The final chapter summarizes the findings and highlights the remaining challenges, such as land record settlement and employment, that still affect the former enclave populations.
Keywords
Enclaves, Adverse Possessions, Exchange of Enclaves, Enclave Settlement Camp, Land Boundary Agreement, LBA, Stateless People, India, Bangladesh, Border Dispute, Rehabilitation, Socio-economic Status, Citizenship, Infrastructure, Migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central subject of this research?
The book examines the socio-economic, political, and historical situation of people living in the enclaves of India and Bangladesh before and after their exchange in 2015.
What were the main themes covered in the study?
The study covers the history of enclave formation, the humanitarian crisis of statelessness, the diplomatic process of the Land Boundary Agreement, and the post-exchange development status of the residents.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The objective is to evaluate the impact of the Land Boundary Agreement on the lives of former enclave dwellers and to determine if the transition has resolved their basic human rights and infrastructural needs.
Which research methodology was utilized?
The author employed an empirical study involving extensive field surveys, questionnaire distribution, personal interviews, and group discussions, complemented by a comprehensive review of government reports and literature.
What does the main body of the book address?
It provides a detailed analysis of the living conditions of enclave residents, their classification by age and religion, and a comparative study of the initiatives taken by both Indian and Bangladeshi governments after the land exchange.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Enclaves, Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), Statelessness, Border Disputes, and Socio-economic Rehabilitation.
How were the enclaves classified in this study?
The study classifies them into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-order enclaves, which describe the complex geographical nesting of these territories within each other.
What is the significance of the Tin Bigha Corridor mentioned in the study?
The Tin Bigha Corridor is highlighted as a critical access point for the residents of the Dohogram-Angarpota enclave, illustrating the difficulties of movement faced by enclave populations prior to broader agreements.
What specific challenges do former enclave residents still face according to the findings?
According to the author, the residents face unresolved issues regarding formal land title deeds, lack of job reservations, and inadequate infrastructure development in their resettled areas.
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- Debarshi Bhattacharya (Autor:in), 2017, Chronicle of Nowhere People of India and Bangladesh. Monograph of Work on India-Bangladesh Enclaves, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/429731
