Darjeeling: "NRC will not be implemented in Bengal. We will ensure this. Remember, it is our government here. We were there; we are there and we will always be there with the people. I assure you once again," said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is on an official visit to the Darjeeling district. The Chief Minister is on a four-day visit to the district. On arriving in Siliguri on Monday, she attended a "Bijoya Sammelani" programme at the Siliguri Police Lines. "In the name of Citizenship Amendment Bill, they want to take away our citizenship rights for six years and make us foreigners. People will die. Remember, we are all citizens of India and Bengal. The very fact that we cast our votes ensures that we are citizens of this country. Those teenagers who have gained voting rights should get their names enlisted in the electoral rolls," stated Banerjee. Without naming the BJP, she stated that keeping the NRC in the backdrop, a conspiracy is on to create divides among various communities. "They are going and telling the Rajbongshis that the Bengalis will be driven out through the NRC. Again, they are going to the Hindus and telling them that the Muslims will be driven out. The same tactic is being used to create rifts between different communities. Our biggest identity is that we are all humans and we all have the right to live peacefully. Bengal wants peace. No one will ever have to leave this state. We will ensure this. Everyone has the right to live here," she assured. Representatives from the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar were present at the "Bijoya Sammelani" on Monday. The Chief Minister further stated that her government has ensured all-round development in North Bengal. "We have created two new districts, namely Alipurduar and Kalimpong. North Bengal is now connected by roads directly with neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Air links are being established in major towns of North Bengal including Cooch Behar and Balurghat. We have allotted land for the expansion of Bagdogra Airport. There are a host of tourism projects including "Bhorer Alo" built by the state government to promote tourism in North Bengal," maintained Banerjee. She further added that North Bengal has a rich and diverse art, culture and landscape which is a major advantage for the region. "You are no way behind Kolkata or South Bengal," added the Chief Minister. Banerjee will be chairing an administrative meeting of the Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts at Uttar Kanya on Tuesday. Following this, she will depart for Kurseong where she will be halting at the Circuit House. She is scheduled to chair an administrative meeting of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts on Wednesday at the Kurseong Community Hall at around 2 pm. On Thursday, she will be returning to Siliguri and will reach Kolkata on Friday.

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