Union Home Minister Amit Shah is in Siliguri today for a series of engagements centred on border security, infrastructure development, and outreach to local communities.

His visit forms part of a broader three‑day program in north Bengal, reflecting the Centre’s focus on reinforcing security coordination in strategically sensitive regions while also addressing long‑standing political demands in the Darjeeling hills.

Shah began his day at the Sashastra Seema Bal Frontier Headquarters in Siliguri at around 11.15 am. There, he inaugurated several infrastructure projects designed to strengthen the operational capabilities of the SSB.

He also interacted with personnel and joined them in a traditional ‘Bara Khana’, underscoring the government’s emphasis on welfare and morale within the forces.

Later in the afternoon, Shah visited Kawakhali Ground at 2.30 pm to attend an exhibition on India’s three new criminal laws.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act. The exhibition, titled ‘Five Pillars:

Transformed Justice System’, will run until 26 August and aims to familiarise citizens with the new criminal justice framework. Following the exhibition, Shah is scheduled to address a public meeting, accompanied by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Siliguri’s strategic location near the borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, as well as its proximity to the Siliguri Corridor—popularly known as the “Chicken’s Neck”—makes the visit particularly significant.

This narrow stretch of land connects the northeastern states with the rest of India, and its security is vital for national integration and defence preparedness.

Shah arrived at Bagdogra airport on Thursday evening and is expected to attend several security‑related meetings during his stay. A high‑level border security review meeting is planned for Saturday, focusing on coordination among the Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, intelligence agencies, and state authorities. The discussions will aim to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence sharing, and enhance inter‑agency cooperation.

On Saturday, Shah will also meet public representatives from the Darjeeling hills to discuss a “permanent political solution” to the longstanding issues of the Gorkha and other communities.

The Darjeeling region has witnessed decades of agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state. The Left Front government had earlier attempted to address the issue through the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, while the Trinamool Congress government later established the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Shah’s pre‑poll assurances of a permanent solution have raised expectations of greater political and economic stability in the hills.

The meeting is expected to be attended by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung, its general secretary Roshan Giri, and State Minister of State for Finance and Transport Anandamoy Barman.

Their participation highlights the importance of dialogue between the Centre and local leadership in resolving long‑standing demands.

Shah’s packed schedule in north Bengal reflects a dual focus: reinforcing border security in a strategically sensitive region and engaging with political aspirations in the Darjeeling hills.

The Centre’s approach combines infrastructure development, personnel welfare, legal awareness, and political dialogue, signalling a comprehensive strategy to strengthen both security and stability in the region.

Agencies