Governor praises Mamata for her handling of Darjeeling

West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan today lauded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her handling of the agitation in Darjeeling Hills.

"Situation in the Darjeeling Hills is most peaceful," Narayanan said on the sidelines of a function here. The Governor praised the Chief Minister for establishing peace in the Hills and ensuring development there.

The Darjeeling Hills had been affected by bandhs and other forms of agitation by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to buttress its demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland. However, administrative and other steps taken by Banerjee led to the GJM leadership returning to the talks table, instead of continuing their agitation.

With regard to political interference in student politics in colleges, where a number of incidents of violence had occurred earlier this year, the Governor reiterated his stand that political parties should not be allowed in student politics. "As far as student politics is concerned, it should be apolitical," he said.