Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to lead a series of meetings in Siliguri on Saturday, primarily addressing the security of the strategically significant Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as Chicken’s Neck, and exploring avenues for a “permanent political solution” concerning the long-standing matters in the Darjeeling hills. These discussions will coincide with the conclusion of his three-day visit to West Bengal.

As per the official agenda, Shah is scheduled to conduct two consecutive meetings starting at 11 am at the hotel located in Sukna, on the outskirts of Siliguri. Following these sessions, he is anticipated to depart for Delhi from Bagdogra Airport at approximately 2.30 pm.

Reports indicate that Shah will conduct a thorough review of border security, emphasising the crucial collaboration among the Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), intelligence organisations, and the state government. This meeting holds considerable importance due to Siliguri’s proximity to the international borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, as well as the critical role of the narrow corridor in linking the Northeast with the rest of India.

Dialogue with Political Representatives Expected

Additionally, the Home Minister is likely to meet with elected officials and political figures from the Darjeeling region to discuss the longstanding political matters affecting the area. However, there has been no formal confirmation regarding the specifics of this meeting. The discussions are anticipated to revolve around the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) pre-election pledge to pursue a “permanent political solution” for the Gorkha community and other local residents.

Noteworthy attendees expected at the meeting include Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung, general secretary Roshan Giri, BJP Darjeeling Member of Parliament Raju Bista, and various state ministers and legislators representing the hills. The Darjeeling region has faced decades of demands for a separate Gorkhaland state, with previous administrations attempting to address these concerns through initiatives like the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

During the Assembly election campaign in 2026, Shah had reinforced his commitment to seek a “permanent political solution”, thereby raising hopes among political groups within the hills for a lasting resolution that fosters stability and prosperity in the region.

Previous Day’s Activities and Criticism of State Government

Shah’s engagements on Saturday follow a series of activities in Siliguri on Friday, where he visited the Sashastra Seema Bal Frontier Headquarters, inaugurated several infrastructure projects, and evaluated border security protocols. He also opened an exhibition on three new criminal laws at Kawakhali.

During the events held on Friday, Shah voiced strong criticism of the former Mamata Banerjee administration, particularly regarding delays in acquiring land necessary for border fencing and security measures. He commended Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s government for its expediency in land transfers and for fostering cooperation with central security agencies.

Overall, the focus of Shah’s meetings on Saturday is expected to centre on ensuring border security while addressing the political issues in the Darjeeling hills, consistent with his broader objective of enhancing security along the Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as Chicken’s Neck.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share