Kolkata, 18 October (Read News). West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed strong opposition to the decision of the Central Government to appoint an interlocutor in Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars regions. He has expressed his displeasure by writing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue.

The Chief Minister has written in the letter that this step of the Center without taking the state government into confidence is “surprising and sad”. He said that it is the responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order and peace in the Darjeeling hill area, Terai and Dooars, which come under the jurisdiction of Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA). In such a situation, appointing an arbitrator by keeping the state in the dark is not appropriate.

The Central Government has recently appointed the country’s former Deputy National Security Advisor and retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh to this post. He has been given the responsibility of taking forward the discussion on the long standing demands and issues of the Gorkhas.

Pankaj Kumar Singh, who has been an officer of Rajasthan cadre, is considered an expert in border security and diplomatic negotiations. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clarified that neither any discussion was held with the state government regarding this appointment, nor was Navan (State Secretariat) formally informed.

Mamata said in her letter, “The permanent solution in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is a tripartite issue – between the Centre, the state and the local administration. In such a situation, appointing someone as an arbitrator without the knowledge of the state is contrary to the constitutional spirit. ——————–

(Read) / Om Parashar