Back in Darjeeling where calm has returned after prolonged turbulence of Gorkhaland agitation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today made an impassioned appeal for peace to ensure speedy development in the region.
"I am sorry for disruption in the development process in the Darjeeling hills, but my government is committed to expedite it in the interest of people there as well as the entire state," Banerjee told a programme organised by the Lepcha Development Board here. She stressed that peace and cooperation were necessary to bring tourists to the hills from both home and abroad since they were the main source of revenue. Once tourists begin arriving in Darjeeling in large numbers, it would change the entire economic scenario in the hills, she said. The chief minister pointed out that home tourism has already been introduced at Lamahatta and Takdah under the supervision of villagers.
