Describing the Centre’s decision to withdraw forces from the Darjeeling hills as “contrary to common sense” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote “strong letters” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday. Speaking to journalists at the State Secretariat after a meeting with the political parties in the Darjeeling hills, Ms. Banerjee said that she had urged them not to withdraw forces.
In a communication to the West Bengal government on Sunday, the Home Ministry informed that 10 of the 15 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed in Darjeeling will be de-attached with effect from October 16. Ms. Banerjee said that she had spoken to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, after which it was decided that seven companies of the CAPF would be withdrawn.
A fuming Ms Banerjee called the decision unfortunate and unconstitutional and said that the decision to withdraw forces at a time when normalcy was returning to the hills was “politically and administratively a bad decision”. “Does the Centre not want peace to return in Darjeeling?” Ms. Banerjee said.
‘Constructive’
The CM said that the third bilateral talks with the hill leaders held during the day were constructive, and the leaders emphasised the need to ensure that peace prevails in the region. Ms. Banerjee said that the issue of paying compensation to those killed in the violence was raised and the State government is examining the matter.
