In pictures: Lives in limbo on India-Bangladesh border

Mohammad Mansoor Ali Mia sitting on a bed in his home

A cow grazes in the field.

The enclaves are also known as “chitmahals” and the residents have to rely mostly on agriculture for their livelihood. In this photo, a cow grazes in a field in a Bangladeshi enclave.

Indo Bangladesh border on the Indian side. Most of the roughly 2400 mile long border is barbed.
  • Indo Bangladesh border on the Indian side. The white stone on the right  corner of the photo is the only border demarcation between India and the Bangladesh enclave within it. In some places, it is difficult to differentiate between the two.
  • Indian citizens stand on  Indian territory, right of frame. They stay away from stepping on to Bangladesh territory, left of frame.
  • A girl plays hopscotch with a battered plastic glass in a Bangladesh enclave in India.
  • A little boy runs across a makeshift bamboo bridge.
A man stands amidst jute plantation, the most important crop in the enclaves. The enclave dwellers survive mainly from subsistence farming.
  • Paddy field full of water in Bangladeshi enclave in India
  • Men sit for evening prayers at the village mosque.
  • Sadhana Chakravarty in her kitchen
  • A woman lights a lantern

Indo Bangladesh border on the Indian side. Most of the roughly 2400 mile long border is barbed.

Source: BBC