Cooch Behar affected by enclaves exchange geographically and demographically
Q. Recently there was exchange of Enclaves between India and Bangladesh. Which district of West Bengal was affected by it geographically and demographically?- Published on 17 Feb 16a. Cooch Behar
b. East Midnapore
c. Birbhum
d. Purulia
ANSWER: Cooch Behar
- In a historic pact between India and Bangladesh, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves (Chhitmahals) in Indian Territory and 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh territory were exchanged with effect from July 31, 2015.
- The move altered the geography and demography of the district of Cooch Behar.
- With a view to carry out consequential geographic and demographic alterations vis-à-vis the electoral mosaic of the affected areas, the Election Commission requested to amend Section 11 of the Delimitation Act and Section 9 of the Representation of the People Act to enable it to carry out limited delimitation of constituencies in the affected areas.
- Since the newly acquired area has become part of the Indian Territory, it is required to make delimitation exercise within the limited constituency area before the ensuing state Assembly elections in West Bengal.
