Indian elections: for the first time former Bangladeshi enclaves vote
Elections were held yesterday in West Bengal and Assam. Some 50,000 enclave residents voted for the first time, including a 103-year-old man who hopes to see hospital in his neighbourhood. Established in the 18th century, the enclaves remained in a legal limbo until last year. Until then, residents were stateless without access to social services or health care.
Kolkata (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Some 50,000 people took part in a historic vote yesterday in the Indian states of West Bengal and Assam. For the first time in their life they were able to vote.
Until last year, they had lived in scores of enclaves, literally in a legal limbo, stateless in their own homes, either in India or Bangladesh.
The oldest voter was 103-year-old Asgar Ali (pictured), who arrived at the polling booth helped by his grandson. "I am very happy to have voted," he said. "This is the first time ever that I have voted in, or participated in, the democratic process”.
The centenarian lives in Cooch Behar. Like him, 50,000 other people were stateless and could not access citizenship benefits such as schools and healthcare since 1947.
All of them were stuck in enclaves, 162 small pockets of one country’s territory surrounded by the other, dating back to the 18th century by the will of local rulers.
They endured through British colonial rule, the independence of India and Pakistan (1947), and finally Bangladesh’s War of Liberation from Pakistan (1971).
Last year, India and Bangladesh agreed to swap enclaves once and for all, allowing residents to stay or go to the other country.
Bangladesh annexed 111 Indian enclaves, whilst India incorporated 51 enclaves. As of 31 July 2015, the enclaves no longer exist, and the two countries have granted citizenship to residents under their jurisdiction.
Results from yesterday’s elections will be released on 19 May. However, for Ali, voting was a victory in itself.
“I voted hoping that it would lead to change, some work in our village, in our neighbourhood,” he said. “Maybe we will get a hospital”.
As for who is going to win, “"All leaders are good,” he explained. “Whoever wins should get work done in our neighbourhood”.
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