West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed surprise over the Centre’s approval to appoint retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh as an interlocutor to discuss issues pertaining to the Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars regions.
In a statement issued from Nabanna, the State Secretariat, Banerjee stated that the Centre made the appointment without consulting the West Bengal government, even though the matter directly affects peace and governance in areas under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) — an autonomous body formed under the state government.
Terming the action as “unilateral”, Mamata said it goes against the spirit of cooperative federalism, which is a significant principle of the Indian Constitution.
Banerjee reminded that the GTA was created in 2011 through a tripartite agreement signed by the Centre, the West Bengal government, and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), in the presence of the then Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister. The agreement aimed to promote development in the hills while protecting the cultural and ethnic identity of the Gorkhas.
Here goes my letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, communicating my surprise and shock at the unilateral appointment by the Government of India of an interlocutor for the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars regions of West Bengal. pic.x.com/nNN1OtqAeY
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 18, 2025
In her letter, she added that peace and harmony have prevailed in the Darjeeling Hills due to continuous efforts by her government since 2011, and the state remains committed to maintaining stability in the region.
The West Bengal government has stated that any decision related to the Gorkha community or the GTA region must involve full consultation with the state, stressing that unilateral actions could disturb the peace and stability maintained in the hills.
Chief Minister Banerjee urged the Centre to reconsider and revoke the appointment of interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh, saying the move was made without prior consultation and went against the spirit of federalism and mutual respect between the Union and the States.