3 min readKolkataUpdated: Sep 10, 2025 04:10 AM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "We must not interfere in this. But I also believe that if our neighbour stays well, we will also stay well. Let there be peace."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asked districts near the Nepal border to “maintain peace and ensure no one gets into any trouble”. She said she will not comment on the ongoing protests in the neighbouring country as it is a “foreign” matter.
Tens of thousands of young agitators had taken to Kathmandu’s streets to protest the government decision to block about two dozen social network platforms, including YouTube and Facebook, as well against alleged corruption at a larger scale in the Nepal government. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned after his house was set on fire.
“… It is our neighbouring country and we love Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and all bordering nations. But given the current situation, if the Government of India tells us anything, only then we can say something. Otherwise, it is for the Government of India to take care of this matter,” she said at the Kolkata airport, before taking off for her three-day North Bengal tour.
She added, “We must not interfere in this. But I also believe that if our neighbour stays well, we will also stay well. Let there be peace.”
She also said that the Centre has not informed them about anything related to intensifying border security: “That is obvious and it is a correct decision. Why should our people face trouble?”
On her tour plan, she said, “I have a meeting with the DMs regarding the development programme and there is patta distribution too. I will go to Jalpaiguri tomorrow. We have 11,000 pattas ready. Houses are also planned for North Bengal. I will return the day after tomorrow. We have to reach by car because of the adverse weather.”
On the issue of Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Banerjee said that “voter card is an ID proof and the Aadhaar card has been included. Those who do not have it will get it done. I feel the EPIC card should also be included (in SIR). We are against SIR and three CECs have said that SIR takes 2-3 years and cannot be done hastily. Our party has taken a stand and it is the same as that of the INDIA bloc.”
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
