Siliguri, July 16 -- Union Home minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Siliguri on July 17 and 18 for a series of official programmes, security reviews and high-level meetings.
According to sources, Shah will arrive at Bagdogra Airport from New Delhi at around 9 pm on July 17. He will then proceed to the BSF Frontier Headquarters at Kadamtala, where he will stay overnight.
On July 18, the Union Home minister is scheduled to visit the BSF Seema Chowki under the 18 Battalion at Jumagachh in Phansidewa. During his visit, he will attend the Prahari Sammelan, participate in a tree plantation drive, lay foundation stones for various projects and inaugurate several development initiatives. He is also expected to interact with BSF personnel.
Later in the day, Shah will visit Uttarkanya, the branch secretariat of the West Bengal government, at around 1 pm. He is scheduled to chair two high-level meetings-one to review the implementation of the new criminal laws in West Bengal and another on the registration of births and deaths. Another closed-door meeting is also scheduled there.
After concluding the meetings, he is scheduled to leave Uttarkanya at around 7 pm and travel to Bagdogra Airport before departing for Kolkata.
Sources said the Chief Minister of Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, is also expected to remain present during the Home minister's programmes.
Officials believe the visit holds strategic significance due to Siliguri's geographical importance and the security of the Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the "Chicken's Neck", which connects the northeastern states with the rest of India.
Sources further stated that several unfenced border stretches under the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad continue to pose security challenges. The Home Minister is expected to review these issues during his visit.
Elaborate security arrangements are being put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the high-profile visit.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.