Remain alert on infiltration from Assam, says Mamata
Darjeeling: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed the police and district administration to remain vigilant in the strategically located Alipurduar district in order to ensure that no miscreants or terrorists are able to settle in the area.
The Chief Minister, during her tour of North Bengal districts, attended an administrative meeting in Alipurduar held at Uttar Kanya, the mini Secretariat in Jalpaiguri district.
Incidentally, Alipurduar shares an international border with Bhutan and also has borders with Assam.
"There are some ongoing problems in Assam. There could be a possible pushback from there," Banerjee said.
The National Register of Citizens (NRC) of 1951 is being updated in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court to identify the original residents of the state and check illegal migration.
"There might be a possible pushback from Assam. If such a thing happens and there is infiltration into Alipurduar, it should be immediately brought to our notice. The BDOs and the police have to remain vigilant. They have to immediately notify the higher-ups," stated Banerjee.
She asked the BDOs and police to enhance public contact. "By meeting the public they can come to know if any foreign nationals, miscreants or terrorists have settled in villages, tea gardens and are trying to influence others with money," she stated.
Recently, the CID had arrested four persons belonging to Greater Cooch Behar Liberation Organisation, thereby foiling their plan of blowing up train tracks in North Bengal and explosions in Siliguri. While two hailed from Assam, the other two were from North Bengal.
The Chief Minister also sent a strong message that her government would not tolerate land mafia. "I have asked the police to take strong action. Sometimes police and officials of the Land and Land Reforms department also get involved. We will not tolerate this. The police will have to take cognizance and initiate civil and criminal proceedings. Do not spare anyone. It doesn't matter of which political affiliation he is associated with. It is rampant in the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri bypass area, I have heard," she maintained.
Banerjee further stated that there were such instances of land officials involved in land scams that have occurred in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. She asked the DG to ensure that the anti-corruption branch ensures that the corrupt officials are brought to book.
She then referred to certain problems regarding recruitment in the Forest department. She instructed Indevar Pandey, ACS, Forest department to form a Forest Recruitment Board through which forest personnel may be recruited.
The Chief Minister inquired about the status of the order issued more than two years ago of a recruitment drive for as many as 300 forest personnel. She was informed that 269 personnel were recruited but as they were from South Bengal, they were not willing to serve in North Bengal.
"Henceforth locals will be given preference for forest jobs. Skill development trainings will also be imparted for different Forest department posts like mahouts," she added.
