Amid growing political unrest in neighbouring Nepal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday assured that all Indians stranded there — many of them from Bengal — would be safely brought back within the next couple of days through state government initiatives.
Speaking at a government meeting in Jalpaiguri, the Chief Minister urged stranded citizens and their families not to panic. “Don’t rush. Don’t put yourself in danger. We are monitoring the situation,” she said, adding that she personally observed developments from Uttarkanya, the administrative building in Siliguri, throughout Tuesday night.
“You can sleep peacefully. We will bring you back safely,” she reassured, recalling her continuous presence during the Covid-19 crisis, when she “did not take a single day off” while managing the state’s response.
On the first day of her North Bengal visit, Mamata convened a meeting with top police officials. Following her directions, surveillance has been stepped up along the Indo-Nepal border. North Bengal IG Rajesh Kumar Yadav and Darjeeling SP Praveen Prakash held high-level talks with SSB 41st Battalion Commandant Yogesh Kumar Singh. Naka checking has been intensified at multiple locations, including Panitanki. Police stations along the border have been issued fresh alerts.
The Darjeeling district police confirmed they are in regular touch with Nepal Police and stranded Indians can seek immediate help via the district police helpline.
Addressing citizens who had travelled to Nepal for tourism, Mamata said, “I know many have gone to Nepal for a trip. I would say, be patient for a couple of days. We will slowly bring you back. Let them (Nepal) return to peace, we will also be happy as a neighbouring country. But it is better not to rush into danger now.”
In her speech, the Chief Minister also took repeated digs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government for withholding Bengal’s dues. Without naming him, she remarked: “You are a master of propaganda! You waste all your money on propaganda! Everything will be in my name—it’s not me, we have to learn to say ‘we’.”
She accused the Centre of withholding funds due to Bengal while simultaneously tarnishing the state’s image.
Also read: Mamata begins North Bengal visit to woo Rajbanshi voters
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