Post-Independence Bangla refugees don't need fresh citizenship

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that those who had come from Bangladesh after Independence did not require to be issued fresh citizenship.
Addressing a public meeting at Rampurhat in Birbhum district, she said, "Those who have come to this part of Bengal are already citizens of India. They do not require to have fresh citizenship."
"According to Nehru-Liaquat and Indira-Mujib accords, the Bangladeshi refugees who came after Independence are natural citizens of this country," Mamata pointed out.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister formally launched a number of development programmes and handed over government assistance to beneficiaries.

She announced the formation of Rampurhat-Tarapith development Authority. TMC MLA from Rampurhat and state Minister Asish Banerjee was nominated the chairman of the development authority.