A meeting was held in Siliguri today under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and in presence of Chief Minister West Bengal Shri Suvendu Adhikari with different stake holders and representatives of hill areas of West Bengal. Senior representatives of Govt. of India and State Government were also present.

Political representatives, 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.

All issues relating to the hill population of West Bengal were discussed in detail. Their demands pertaining to a distinct identity, a Permanent Political Solution and recognition under the Constitution of India were taken up. Union Home Minister promised a Permanent Political solution soon under the umbrella of the Constitution of India. He also promised to sympathetically look into all other demands of the community and said that adequate funding from the Centre will ensure all pending issues are taken care of. To finalize modalities, it was decided to a form a committee under Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh, former deputy National Security Advisor and current interlocutor, to finalize the details regarding the final agreement that will be drafted towards a Permanent Political Solution for the people of the hill areas of West Bengal under the Constitution of India.

The meeting ended on a cordial note, with all the leaders representing the different Organizations thanking the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and the Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari for their cordial and magnanimous approach.

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RK / RR / PR / PS