Bill to operationalize Land Boundary Agreement in Rajya Sabha soon

NEW DELHI: Government will soon bring the Constitution amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha to operationalize the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh as it has got various states, including Trinamool-ruled West Bengal, on board on the issue.

According to sources, government has taken states like West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya on board and the Bill will include land only in these states and will keep Assam out of it due to sensivities in that state where BJP aspires to come to power in assembly polls are due early next year.

A senior government functionary said since the issue of land swap under LBA with Bangladesh has evoked "emotional reaction" in Assam, the bill will not include any land pertaining to the state.

Parliament has to pass the constitution amendment bill to implement the LBA as it involves exchange of 161 adversely-held enclaves by India and Bangladesh and consequent redrawing of boundaries between West Bengal and Bangladesh. There are an estimated 50,000 people living in these enclaves and they have been given the option to choose one of the two countries to throw their lot with.