7 ICPs to be set up in West Bengal after Raju Bista writes to Minister Amit Shah requesting his intervention

Darjeeling, 14th November: After visiting the Indo-Nepal border region at Panitanki, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista had written to Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to establish an Integrated Check Post (ICP) in the area.


On a daily basis, over 30000 people cross this border, who are subjected to thorough search and checking. Doing so takes time, and many a time, people, especially the elderly, patients, pregnant women, and children, have suffered sunstroke and other difficulties. Given that the pandemic situation is normalizing, the number of individuals crossing this border outpost is expected to grow substantially.


Bista had therefore requested for Home Minister’s intervention to help convert the existing check post here to an Integrated Check Post (ICP) so that the checking and searching process is expedited, and at the same time, people won’t have to stand under the sun and rain for long durations just to get their identities checked.
ICPs not only ease the physical discomfort felt by the people crossing the border region, but they will also help ensure faster processing of commercial vehicle movements, thus aiding in improved trade and commerce with the neighboring countries. Further, it will help strengthen the national security along the porous border.

‘I am happy to note that the Government of India will be setting up 7 ICPs in West Bengal, including at Panitanki. On behalf of the people from Darjeeling hills, Terai and the Dooars, especially the people of Panitanki, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Home Minister Amit Shah ji for this thoughtfulness, and for his taking proactive steps towards setting up ICPs in our region.’, Bista said in a statement.

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