A tangled border gets straightened after 68 years

NEW DELHI: At the stroke of midnight, India and Bangladesh would have formally resolved a knotty boundary problem left over from history . "Bangladeshi enclaves in India and Indian enclaves in Bangladesh shall stand physically transferred to the other country with effect from the midnight of 31 July" said MEA in a statement. For over 50,000 people, Saturday will give them the opportunity to be part of a nation of their choice.

It will be the first time since 1947 that India can draw a firm, uncontested bound ary line with Bangladesh, MEA said: "July 31, 2015 will thus be a historic day for both India and Bangladesh. The day marks the resolution of a complex issue that has lingered since Independence. It also marks the day from which enclave residents on both sides of the border will enjoy the benefits of nationality of India or Bangladesh, as the case may be, and thus access to civic services, education, healthcare and other facilities provided by the two governments to their respective nationals."

There are 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India which will be exchanged, 37,000 Indians living in enclaves inside Bangladesh and 14,000 Bangladeshi citizens in enclaves inside India. The two governments have recorded the wishes of all the people involved. They have been asked whether they would want to become Indian or Bangladeshi citizens. The last such census was done in 2011, and this year that list was updated.Once the land "exchange" is formally complete, population movement will start after monsoon and complete by November 30. Officials said there would be no extension of the deadline. "The ground has been prepared for the movement of such residents who exercise the option of moving from an Indian enclave to the Indian mainland," government said.