HM Shah Promises Permanent Solution for Bengal Hills
Committee to finalise modalities for agreement under the Constitution of India
- Amit Shah assured hill representatives of a permanent political solution soon.
- Demands for distinct identity and constitutional recognition were discussed.
- A committee headed by interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh will finalise the modalities.
- Centre assured adequate funding to address pending issues of the hill communities.
GG News Bureau
Siliguri, 22nd Aug: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a meeting with political representatives and stakeholders from the hill areas of West Bengal, in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and assured them of a permanent political solution under the Constitution of India.
The meeting, held in Siliguri, discussed issues concerning the hill population, including demands relating to distinct identity, a permanent political solution and recognition under the Constitution of India.
Senior representatives of the Central and West Bengal governments also attended the meeting. Political representatives present included MPs Raju Bista and Harshvardhan Singla, Minister for Hills Bishal Lama, GJM leader Bimal Gurung, GNLF leader Mann Ghising, MLAs Bharat Chettri, Sonam Lama and Noman Rai, CPRM leader JB Rai, GoRaNiMo leader Dawa Pakhrin, Sumetee leader Bikash Rai and other representatives.
During the discussions, Shah assured the representatives that the government would work towards a permanent political solution soon within the constitutional framework.
The Home Minister also assured that other demands of the hill communities would be examined sympathetically. He said adequate funding from the Centre would help address pending developmental and other issues concerning the region.
A committee will be constituted under Pankaj Kumar Singh, former Deputy National Security Advisor and the current interlocutor, to finalise the modalities and details of the proposed agreement for a permanent political solution for the people of West Bengal’s hill areas.
The meeting concluded on a cordial note, with representatives of various organisations expressing appreciation to Amit Shah and Suvendu Adhikari for what they described as their cordial and constructive approach towards the concerns of the hill communities.
