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Indo-bangladesh EnclavesThe India-Bangladesh border in the Indian state of West Bengal has about 51 exclaves of Bangladesh and 111 enclaves of India are within Bangladesh soil. The enclaves were part of the high stake card games between two regional kings, centuries ago. The little territories were created after the rulers of Cooch Behar and Rangpur ran out of silver and pledged pockets of each other's territory as their stakes. After the partition of India in 1947, Cooch Behar was merged with India and Rangpur went to then East Pakistan, which became Bangladesh in 1971. In 1974, both countries agreed to exchange the enclaves or at least provide easy access to the enclaves, but since then little has materialised. Talks between the two countries on the issue resumed in 2001, but the lack of a concrete time frame has put the relegated the issue to the back burner. The residents of the enclaves live in abysmal conditions, with the lack of water, roads, electricity, schools and medicines. Theft also is rampant as complaining would mean crossing the international boundary, leading to complications. Residents of the enclaves may go to their respective countries on the production of an identity card, after seeking permission from the border guards making many feel like caged animals. The Indian exclave of Dasiarchhara, situated 3 km from India, is one of the largest of the enclaves occupying an area of 7 sq km with around 9,000 inhabitants. The territory does not have any electricity, though the surrounding villages of Bangladesh are lit.
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