Shah: Tri-State Security Grid To Fortify ‘Chicken’s Neck’

Kolkata: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Centre had set up a triangular security grid around the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the “Chicken’s Neck”, and would build an administrative complex on an 80-acre plot in Siliguri to further strengthen security in the region.

Shah said the security grid would operate from three bases — in West Bengal, Bihar and Assam — with enhanced surveillance, deployment and resources around the corridor, which connects the northeastern states with the rest of the country and lies close to multiple international borders.

He made the announcement after launching several security infrastructure projects of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Ranidanga in Siliguri.

“The Narendra Modi government has recognised the importance of national security of the Siliguri Corridor very well,” Shah said. He said the Centre had strengthened its security presence in the area and periodically conducted exercises such as “Teesta Prahar”.

Shah praised the SSB for guarding unfenced stretches of India's international borders and said the Centre was committed to making the strategically sensitive corridor more secure.

He also attacked former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her government had repeatedly failed to provide land required for border fencing and security infrastructure.

Shah said the Centre had faced difficulties in acquiring hundreds of acres for strengthening border security during the previous government. He thanked Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for facilitating the transfer of land required by the BSF and SSB and said 1,129 acres had been made available.

The home minister later attended an exhibition on the three new criminal laws and claimed that the rule of law had returned to the state after the BJP came to power.