Indo-bangla ties not at bengal’s cost: CM Mamata says neighbouring countries share good relations statesman news service Kolkata, 25 August For the first time, chief minister Mamata Banerjee today emphasised the need for strengthening Indo- Bangladesh ties, but in the same breath, she warned that this should not be done at the cost of the people of West Bengal. “Though we maintain friendship and good relations with Bangladesh, it should not be at the cost of people of West Bengal,” Miss Bnaerjee posted in a social networking site, Facebook. Miss Banerjee wrote, “It is indeed difficult to accept the present proposal of giving away land to Bangladesh without agreement from the state government.” She also criticised the Centre for allegedly leaking out to the media a letter regarding the proposed demarcation of land boundaries between India and Bangladesh. Miss Banerjee wrote, “There have been many developments and after a detailed examination, I discussed the issue several times with the Ministry of External Affairs during the past two years.” She also mentioned the case of the Teesta Water Agreement. “During the draft stage, the Government of India had said something, but proposed something totally different in the final stage,” she alleged. Similarly, in the Land Boundary Agreement, the state government had mentioned to the National Security Advisor, and the previous and present ministers of External Affairs, the need for obtaining consent from the people residing in the areas that are to be transferred, she said. “It must be noted that our state of West Bengal will get only about 7000 acres of land but will have to cede nearly 17,000 acres of land to Bangladesh,” she wrote. “This cannot be accepted without taking into confidence and the consent of the local people who live in the transferable areas,” the chief minister said. “What is the hurry of the Centre to give away our land and our water without the consent of the state government? What type of politics is the Centre trying to play?” she asked. “Recently, they have disturbed the peaceful situation in Darjeeling,” she alleged. Earlier too, they gave away land from Assam and Tripura to the country concerned. “The interests of the states cannot be compromised in this way. We strongly urge that the Centre must follow the established federal norms of the country in the interest of the overall well-being of the country and its people,” Miss Banerjee added.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:18:13 +0000
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