Amit Shah’s big Darjeeling move: Centre promises ‘Permanent Political Solution’ for West Bengal hills

The meeting was attended by BJP MPs Raju Bista and Harshvardhan Singla, West Bengal Minister for Hills Bishal Lama, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung, Gorkha National Liberation Front (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. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also attended the meeting.

According to a statement issued by the Indian government, the stakeholders raised demands concerning a distinct identity, a Permanent Political Solution and recognition under the Constitution of India.

Amit Shah assured the representatives that the Centre would work towards a Permanent Political Solution for the people of the hill areas under the framework of the Constitution.

The Union Home Minister also assured the stakeholders that their other demands would be considered sympathetically and said adequate funding from the Centre would help address pending issues in the region.

To finalise the modalities, it was decided to constitute a committee headed by Pankaj Kumar Singh, former Deputy National Security Advisor and the current interlocutor, to work out the details of the final agreement for a Permanent Political Solution for the people of the hill areas of West Bengal.

The proposed agreement will be drafted within the framework of the Constitution of India.