SC allows Centre to withdraw forces from Darjeeling hills after 8th March

NewsBharati    21-Feb-2018
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New Delhi, February 21: The Supreme Court has allowed Centre to withdraw remaining four forces from Darjeeling hills after 8th March. Earlier, West Bengal state government strongly protested Center’s decision to withdraw forces from the hills.

Since last year June, Darjeeling had been continuously facing violence regarding the demand of separate Gorkha state. Many civilians, agitators, police personnel lost their lives in the course. However, after long days of conflict peace has returned to the area. That is why the Central government wanted to withdraw the forces from there. In the hearing also, Centre argued that as now the situation is under control in the hill, state police would be able to control small confrontations.

The apex court has revoked Calcutta High Court order that had restrained the Centre from withdrawing CAPF from the state's hill regions on the ground that normalcy had not returned. Supreme Court already permitted center to withdraw 11 of the 15 forces. Centre asked permission for deployment in border areas, poll-bound states.

Some people fear that since Bimal Gurung is still under hideout, withdrawal of forces can spread violence again. But Siliguri Police officials assured that local residents themselves would not p[ut up with any new conflict and police is also keeping eye on the situation.

Darjeeling Central Forces Supreme Court Gorkhaland