Calcutta: Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday
requested Union home minister Rajnath Singh to send more central forces
to the Darjeeling hills, underscoring the strategic importance of the
area that is at the confluence of several international borders, sources
said.
According to the sources, Mamata asked Rajnath for more
forces, particularly in Darjeeling, which borders Bangladesh, Nepal and
Bhutan and is close to India's frontier with China.
During the
interaction between Rajnath and Mamata, held after the meeting on border
security, Union home secretary Rajiv Gauba pointed out that the
Sashastra Seema Bal already had a substantial presence in the district.
But Mamata apparently stressed that she would prefer a "more proactive"
central force contingent, like the Central Industrial Security Force.
"She
tried to explain that the hills of north Bengal are not only vital
strategically but also have been sensitive since June, when the Gorkha
Janmukti Morcha renewed its statehood agitation," said a Nabanna
official.
According to him, Rajnath neither ruled it out nor gave any assurance. "He said it would be considered."
Only
four companies are currently stationed in the hills following a Supreme
Court order allowing the Centre to withdraw four companies. Each
company has around 100 personnel.
The Telegraph
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