Kolkata, Aug 22 (IANS): The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, had emphasized that all central agencies, both intelligence agencies and central armed police forces (CAPF) wings, should increase increase their footprints in the “Siliguri Corridor” popularly known as “Chicken Neck” in the Darjeeling district in the northern sector of West Bengal, according to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Saturday.

According to the PIB statement, Union Minister Shah, who was on a two-day visit to North Bengal for a couple of days, undertook a review of the status of all infrastructural projects being undertaken in "Siliguri Corridor" that are critical to its security and stressed upon the concept of quadrangular approach to border security and directed all agencies to implement it in full spirit.

The Union Home Minister also directed to keep "Siliguri Corridor" or the "Chicken Neck" sector free of encroachments, besides underscoring the need to take all steps to stop illegal immigration in the said corridor.

As per the PIB statement, Union Minister Shah also discussed issues related to PIO (person of Indian origin) activities, demographic changes, illegal immigration and the border affairs.

"He (Home Minister Amit Shah) said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union government is committed to making the security of the Siliguri Corridor impregnable," the statement said.

As per the statement, the Union Home Minister, also stressed upon the concept of quadrangular approach to border security and directed all agencies to implement it in full spirit.

"Emphasising the criticality of infrastructural projects in the corridor, Union Minister Shah directed all agencies present to complete all pending works in time bound manner," the PIB statement said.

The Union Home Minister, as per the statement, directed to keep Siliguri Corridor free of encroachments, besides underscoring the need to take all steps to stop illegal immigration there.

Union Minister Shah, as per the PIB statement, also suggested West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to explore possibilities of opening more Sainik schools in North Bengal.

"He (Home Minister Amit Shah) further asked the Chief Minister (Suvendu Adhikari) to work towards increasing the number of senior NCC cadets in North Bengal. He also urged state government to strengthen the institution of Civil Defence and Home Guards in Siliguri Corridor," the statement said.

--IANS

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