What happened: Centre sets up a committee to draft an agreement for a permanent political solution
The Union government decided to form a committee to draft an agreement for a “permanent political solution” to demands of the Gorkha community in the Darjeeling hills and adjoining areas of north Bengal. The decision followed political consultations held in Siliguri.
A meeting in Siliguri was chaired by Amit Shah, Union Home Minister. Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal Chief Minister, attended the meeting along with Raju Bista, Darjeeling BJP MP, and other political leaders. The Union Home Ministry stated that the committee would be chaired by Pankaj Kumar Singh, described as a former Deputy National Security Adviser and the current interlocutor for talks with Gorkha representatives.
Participants stated that the meeting set the process in motion. The stated approach is to arrive at a permanent political solution soon within the Constitution. The stated intent also includes sympathetic consideration of other demands and adequate central funding to address pending issues.
Background and earlier position: Gorkhaland demand and earlier hill governance arrangements
The Gorkha community’s demand for a separate State of Gorkhaland, carved out of the Darjeeling hills and adjoining regions, is described as dating back to the 1980s.