Darjeeling crisis: SC allows troop withdrawal, Centre scores over Mamata!
Reprimanding the Mamata Banerjee-led WB government, SC allowed the Centre to withdraw seven companies of the Central Armed Paramilitary forces (CAPF) from the troubled Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The court's ruling came on a petition filed by the Centre challenging the Calcutta HC's order staying the partial withdrawal of CAPF from Darjeeling. Here's more!
Why were the troops deployed to Darjeeling?
The WB government requested the Centre to provide security in June when the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) strike began in Darjeeling. The Centre subsequently sent three companies of both CRPF and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) taking the total tally of paramilitary forces in the Valley to 15. However, the GJM strike ended after 104 days and Centre decided to withdraw 10 of 15 troops.
Centre decides to withdraw troops, Mamata objects
After Mamata objected to the Centre's decision of withdrawal, the Centre decided to withdraw only seven companies citing the upcoming elections in Himachal and Gujarat. The Centre said the internal situation of the company can't be ignored either. However, Mamata felt the situation in Darjeeling was volatile and appealed to the Calcutta HC, which stayed troop withdrawal from Darjeeling.
Subsequently, Centre approached SC to intervene
Centre appealed to the SC to intervene as 'troop movement takes time.' Further, home minister Rajnath Singh said "if all 24 HCs start dictating" the Centre about troop deployment, it will cause "confusion." Also, troop deployment is the "executive's exclusive domain." The SC stayed the pending proceedings of the Calcutta HC. Chief Justice Dipak Misra observed "Peace must remain. Citizens must be responsible."
