All-party delegation from Tripura to meet PM

The delegation is to meet the Prime Minister and Home Minister to place the demand for rehabilitation of displaced people.

An all-party delegation from Tripura will visit Delhi to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to put forward the demand for rehabilitation of the people who were displaced due to construction of barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangla border.

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Replying to a calling attention notice on rehabilitation of the displaced people in the Indo-Bangla border areas due to barbed wire fencing, brought by Ashok Baidya (Cong) in the Assembly on Friday, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said state government had demanded Central fund for rehabilitation of the displaced persons but the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had turned down the demand.

Leader of the Opposition, Ratan Lal Nath, said that an all-party delegation can meet the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to press for the demand.

The Chief Minister welcomed the proposal and agreed to send the team to Delhi but it was not decided when and how many members would visit Delhi.

Nath alleged that about three lakh people were displaced due to the fencing and they were living in helpless situation.

However, PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury said 172 km of the 856 long border was fenced resulting in displacement of 7123 families and they can be rehabilitated if the Centre grants Rs 93 crore.