Amit Shah sets up panel for political solution to Gorkha Issues

Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a high-level committee, headed by former Deputy National Security Advisor and interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh, to prepare a comprehensive framework for a permanent political solution to Gorkha issues within the framework of the Constitution. He said this after chairing a key meeting with all stakeholders in Siliguri.

"This decisive step represents a major and long-awaited breakthrough in resolving this critical pending matter," Shah posted on X.

BJP's Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said the committee would finalise the draft agreement for a permanent political solution for the people of the Darjeeling hill areas of West Bengal under the Constitution.


The meeting was held in Siliguri under Shah's chairmanship in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and various stakeholders and representatives of the hill areas at a hotel in Sukna near Siliguri, on the final day of Shah's Bengal visit.

During the meeting, issues concerning the hill population of West Bengal were discussed in detail, including demands related to their identity, a permanent political solution and recognition under the Constitution, the statement said.

Shah also promised to sympathetically consider other demands of the community and said adequate funding from the Centre would ensure that all pending issues are addressed, it said.

Political representatives Darjeeling 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 present.