Central team may visit a few districts of West Bengal: Chidambaram

Officials from the Central team comprising (from left) S.K. Mishra and D.R.S. Chowdhury holding discussions with West Bengal's Home Secretary Ardhendu Chowdhury and Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakrabarty in Kolkata on Tuesday, Dec.1, 2009. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday said the Central team sent to West Bengal may visit a few violence-affected districts of the State.

The team was holding discussions in Kolkata with the State Chief Secretary and other senior officials to assess the law and order situation in the State, he said. “The Chief Secretary has indicated that they can visit a few districts. They are drawing their programme in consultation with the State government. The visit is intended to help maintain law and order and put an end to inter-party clashes,” the Minister told journalists.

“As per Constitution”

Mr. Chidambaram reiterated that the team's visit was “strictly in accordance with the Constitution.” Members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were satisfied with his reply on Monday when he asserted that the move to send the team was “entirely non-confrontational,” he said. On the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's intensified campaign for a separate State, he said talks with the organisation them were scheduled for December 21.

Asked if he was concerned about the ongoing stir in Darjeeling, he said: “Until a problem is resolved, it is always a matter of concern.” Mr. Chidambaram said the Centre had appointed a retired senior Army officer, Vijay Madan, as its interlocutor for talks on the Gorkhaland issue.