Delhi's 'stark contrast' in Darjeeling and Kashmir

Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, TT, New Delhi, June 17: The Centre's perceived go-slow policy in Darjeeling stands in sharp contrast to its "iron hand" prescriptions in Jammu and Kashmir and is intended at embarrassing the Bengal chief minister, former Manipur governor and veteran police officer Ved Marwah told The Telegraph today.

"The BJP has political ambitions in West Bengal and the ongoing violence and crisis in Darjeeling suit the ruling party politically. The Union government's go-slow policy on Darjeeling is aimed at embarrassing Mamata Banerjee, who is spearheading an anti-NDA campaign," said Marwah, former director-general of the National Security Guard and former Delhi police commissioner.

He said the Centre should not set any pre-condition and dispatch additional forces to control law and order in Darjeeling. "The Centre should also consider dealing with the violent agitation in Darjeeling decisively and with an iron hand, which they have pledged in Kashmir to curb stone-throwers," he said.

The situation in Kashmir, Marwah pointed out, is different from Darjeeling as the pro- azadi supporters want separation from India.

"But the violent protest in Darjeeling should also be tackled with an iron hand rather than with studied silence," he said. "The contrast is stark."