Lalmonirhat: Ending their 68-year-long ambiguity of identity, 64 inhabitants of the former two Indian enclaves in Hatibandha upazila of the district left Bangladesh on Thursday as they embraced Indian nationality during the historic enclave swap between the two countries.

They left Bangladesh through Burimari land port at noon.

Our UNB correspondent encountered a heartbreaking atmosphere as he reached the former Indian enclaves in Uttar Gotamari area of the upazila at noon to be a witness to the departure of the 64 people.

Relatives and well wishers from far reaching areas went there to bid farewell to them.

As part of the process to implement the 1974 historic Land Boundary Agreement, Bangladesh and India formally swapped their enclaves on August 1 bringing an end to the 68-year statelessness of thousands of people.

With the midnight swap, the 51 Bangladesh enclaves in India became Indian territories while 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh the Bangladesh territories.

UNB/RI