Sikkim CM welcomes Amit Shah with warmth and cordiality in Siliguri
Expressing his sentiments, CM Tamang described the meeting as “warm and memorable”.
LOCAL
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang extended a warm welcome to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his wife, Sonal Shah during their early morning visit to Siliguri on December 20.
Expressing his sentiments, CM Tamang described the meeting as “warm and memorable,” He also said that the interaction was cordial and respectful. “It was an honor to welcome Shri Amit Shah Ji, the Hon’ble Home Minister of India, and Madam Sonal Shah Ji during their visit to Siliguri early predawn hours today,” the Chief Minister said.
During their conversation, the Chief Minister enquired about the health and well-being of the Home Minister and his wife.
The visit holds strategic and ceremonial significance as Shah is set to attend the 61st Raising Day celebrations of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Ranidanga, located on the outskirts of Siliguri. The SSB, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, plays a pivotal role in securing India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan. The Ranidanga headquarters oversees a 315km stretch along the India-Nepal border and 215km along the India-Bhutan border, making it a crucial node in the nation’s border security framework.
During the visit, Shah is also expected to assess the situation along the India-Bangladesh border, which lies just 10km from Ranidanga at Fulbari. Sources indicate that Shah will debrief Border Security Force (BSF) officers, who manage approximately 936km of the border in north Bengal. The visit comes against the backdrop of political unrest in Bangladesh, highlighting the region’s strategic importance.
In addition to attending the SSB personnel parade, Shah will virtually inaugurate accommodation facilities for BSF personnel at the Petrapole Integrated Check Post in North 24-Parganas. Petrapole, a vital hub for India-Bangladesh trade, has gained prominence due to recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Home Affairs has bolstered its presence in the area to address these concerns.
Although BJP leaders, including Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumder and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, are expected to meet Shah during his visit, party sources clarified that the trip has no political agenda. Shah is scheduled to return to Delhi on Friday afternoon.