BJP raises 'chicken neck' region's security issues- demanded a separate state or Union Territory

MANAS R BANNERJEE, SNS, SILIGURI, 17JUNE 21 : Amid the unhappiness expressed by BJP Members of Parliament of North Bengal over "illegal activities" in the "chicken neck" region here and their concerns over a "looming threat to national security," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said her state police had been working well and keeping proper vigilance in this region. 

Talking to reporters at Nabanna in Kolkata today on demands being made for a separate state or Union Territory comprising the North Bengal region, Miss Banerjee said: "Speaking of China, this demand is making China's hand stronger. The state police are working well and keeping a close eye on the vulnerable region." 

"If they divide Bengal, they will experience unity of Bengal to resist the attempt," Miss Banerjee said. 

Notably, Alipurduar MP John Barla has raised the issue of the "chicken neck" and the state government's alleged failure in keeping proper vigil and has demanded a separate state or Union Territory "so that the new administration can keep a strict vigil on the region for the country's security." 

Significantly, Darjeeling's BJP MP Raju Bista today pointed out to "illegal activities" in the "chicken neck" region and requested the Darjeeling district magistrate, the superintendent of police and even the Siliguri police commissioner to thoroughly investigate the alleged drug supply chain. 

Political observers, on the other hand, have said that the BJP wanted to come to power in Bengal with multiple objectives. "The BJP's leadership had planned to develop the North east region after developing basic infrastructure in Bengal as well as North Bengal, which connects South Asian countries," an observer said. 

Political sources said the BJP-led central government is not satisfied with the state administration in West Bengal under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee when it comes to keeping proper vigil on the "chicken neck" region, including border areas connecting other countries. 

"Another objective (of the BJP) is to bag more Lok Sabha seats from both Bengal and the Northeast region through developments in 2024," a political source said. "I have received several reports from local people about increasing number of illegal bars, gambling dens, human trafficking, fake currency, gold smuggling, drugs, contraband, and arms trafficking across the critical 'chicken neck' region. As our region is surrounded by international borders of Nepal, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and is the 'gateway to the Northeast,' connecting further with our Southeast Asian neighbours, such illegal activities threaten our national security," Mr Bista said. 

"The menace of drugs is so profound that an entire generation of youths could be at risk of being lost, and hundreds of families across our region are suffering because of this menace," Mr Bista said, adding, "A more worrisome aspect that I have highlighted is that some of those arrested in the hills have accused individuals from within the police force and administration of being involved in these illegal activities and drug supply chains and are providing patronage to such gangs." 

MP Bista also said: "I have requested the DM Darjeeling, SP Darjeeling and Siliguri Commissioner of Police to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and ensure that all the culprits behind the supply and smuggling of drugs are dealt with in the most stringent of terms."