Siliguri (West Bengal) [India], August 22 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday promised a "permanent" political solution to the issues of the hill population in West Bengal soon, under the umbrella of the Constitution of India, as well as adequate funding from the Centre to manage all pending issues.
He also called for the formation of a committee under former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Kumar Singh to finalize the modalities.
Shah made the promise while chairing a meeting held in Siliguri in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, along with various stakeholders and representatives of the hill areas of the state. Senior representatives of the Central and state governments were also present.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated that all issues relating to the hill population of West Bengal were discussed in detail during the meeting. In a statement, the MHA said that the demands pertaining to a distinct identity, a permanent political solution, and recognition under the Constitution of India were taken up in the meeting chaired by the Home Minister.
"The Union Home Minister promised a permanent political solution soon under the umbrella of the Constitution of India. He also promised to sympathetically look into all other demands of the community and said that adequate funding from the Centre will ensure all pending issues are taken care of," the MHA said.
To finalize the modalities, the Ministry further mentioned that it was decided to form a committee under Pankaj Kumar Singh, former Deputy National Security Advisor and current interlocutor. This committee will finalize the details regarding the final agreement that will be drafted towards a permanent political solution for the people of the hill areas of West Bengal under the Constitution of India.
The MHA added that the meeting ended on a cordial note, with all the leaders representing the different organizations thanking the Home Minister and the West Bengal Chief Minister for their cordial and magnanimous approach.
Political representatives, including MP Raju Bista, MP Harshvardhan Singla, Minister for Hills Bishal Lama, GJM leader Bimal Gurung, GNLF leader Mann Ghising, MLA Bharat Chettri, MLA Sonam Lama, MLA Noman Rai, CPRM leader JB Rai, GoRaNiMo leader Dawa Pakhrin, Sumetee leader Bikash Rai, and others, were also present at the meeting.