We back land pact with Bangladesh, but with package, says Mamata

People wanted it, she says

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said her government supported the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh as the people wanted it and sought a package from the Centre for rehabilitation of those affected.

“With [rehabilitation] package we are supporting it [the agreement],” Ms. Banerjee told reporters. “I talked to the local people. We are supporting it because the people were in favour of it. It is not that we are imposing it [on them]”, she said.

On the rehabilitation package, the Chief Minister said the government’s “involvement” of land was 17,000 acre. “60,000/70,000 people will come. We have demanded a package for their accommodation, food, for building roads, schools etc,” she added.