Haldibari, Aug. 6: The proposed bridge on the Teesta that will connect Haldibari to the rest of Cooch Behar district was christened Joyee Setu by Mamata Banerjee as a nod to enclave dwellers "thousands of whom have earned independence and nationality after decades of struggle".

The chief minister laid the foundation stone for the bridge and announced a plan to set up two police stations.

She said work had begun to rehabilitate enclave dwellers who are Indian citizens now.

"According to the Land Boundary Agreement, the enclaves have been exchanged. It is not that the state government will stop after the exchange of enclaves but will continue to carry out comprehensive rehabilitation work for the residents. We are also keeping in mind that several Indian residents would come to Cooch Behar from the erstwhile Indian enclaves located within Bangladesh," Mamata said.

About 900 people are moving to the Indian side from Indian enclaves in Bangladesh.

"As part of the rehabilitation programme, we intend to develop the infrastructure of Cooch Behar district and have thus taken up the task of building the new bridge over the Teesta to connect Haldibari and Mekhliganj. This bridge would bring a comprehensive change to the economy of Cooch Behar. A sum of Rs 424 crore would be spent for the construction of the bridge," Mamata added.

At an administrative meeting later in the day, she decided on setting up the police stations. "We have decided to build a new police station in Dinhata. Also, the area of the Kotwali police station (in Cooch Behar town) would be divided and another police station will come up," she said.

At the public meeting, Mamata said the proposed bridge over the Teesta would be named Joyee. "It will be known as Joyee Setu to mark the achievements of enclave dwellers, thousands of whom have earned independence and nationality after decades of struggle," she said.

Asked about the missing reporter Chayan Sarkar of Uttar Banga Sambad, Mamata said: "We want him to return safe and unharmed. All of us know about him and I would like to say that the less mediapersons speak about him the better."

She added: "We want to say that we want him to return and would say that there would be no arrests."