Mamata Banerjee Urges Extra Caution in North Bengal Amid Security and Development Issues

 

Kalimpong Khabar News 22 May

 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked police and administrative officials in North Bengal to stay alert due to growing concerns about cross-border threats and the spread of fake news. Speaking at an official meeting in Uttarkanya, Jalpaiguri, she stressed the need for strong security measures in the region, which shares borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and is close to China.

Focus on Border Security

Calling North Bengal a critical area — often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck” — Banerjee said the region is strategically important as it connects the rest of India to the Northeast. She raised concerns about false videos from other places like Rajasthan and Bangladesh being spread online and wrongly linked to West Bengal to create tension. “This kind of fake news causes unrest and affects the public the most. Authorities must respond quickly,” she said.

Stay Alert and Aware

The Chief Minister also urged people to be cautious about strangers asking for personal information. “Do not give documents to anyone unless it’s for an official government survey,” she warned. She said the presence of police must be visible, and that the state police should not rely solely on the Border Security Force (BSF). “They must increase patrolling and coordinate with the Army to protect key areas,” she added.

Preparing for Monsoon Disasters

With early monsoon rains expected, Banerjee asked officials to be prepared for possible floods and landslides. A new disaster management system will be set up in Uttarkanya and connected to local district control rooms. She said that NDRF, SDRF, and Civil Defence teams should be ready to act at any time. Banerjee also criticized the central government for not helping get real-time river data from Bhutan, which is important for predicting floods in areas like Alipurduar. She said the state will now speak directly to the Bhutan Consulate.

Saving Darjeeling Tea

She raised the issue of cheaper Nepalese tea being mixed with Darjeeling tea, which harms its reputation. Nepalese tea isn’t taxed or checked for quality like Darjeeling tea is. “Why isn’t the Centre imposing taxes on Nepal’s tea imports?” she asked, calling it unfair to local tea growers.

Curbing Corruption

Finally, Banerjee warned against corruption in development projects, especially road repairs before the monsoon. She insisted on completing work on time and using public funds properly. “Any misuse of money or negligence will be dealt with strictly,” she said.