India, Oct. 18 -- Days after the Centre appointed former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Kumar Singh as an interlocutor to hold discussions on the issues relating to Gorkhas in north Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee termed d the decision as "shocking" and "unilateral" while requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke the appointment.

"I am surprised and shocked to know that the centre has appointed Pankaj Kumar Singh, IPS (Retd) as an interlocutor to hold discussions on the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars regions of West Bengal. This appointment has been made without any consultation with the West Bengal government. Such unilateral action is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperative ...