Cooch Behar (WB): Former Bangladesh President H M Ershad, who arrived here today on way to his ancestral house at Dinhata, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his initiative in making the long-awaited Enclave Exchange issue a reality. The way Indian Parliament passed the Bill on Enclave Exchange was very praiseworthy, he said, adding “It touched the hearts of Bangladesh people. It was possible due to the initiative taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Ershad entered Cooch Behar district through Changrabandha International Checkpost in Mekhliganj at about 11:45 AM today along with family members and close associates and proceeded towards his ancestral residence in Dinhata where he will spend a few days.

The former Bangladesh President had spent his childhood and school days at Dinhata in this district. Ending more than four decades of wait, India and Bangladesh began exchange of 162 adversely-held enclaves from July 31 this year, marking the start of implementation of their landmark Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).

India will hand over 51 enclaves, comprising 7,110 acres to Bangladesh, in exchange of 111 enclaves comprising around 17,160 acres from the neighbouring country.