West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday urged residents in the northern districts that border Nepal to maintain peace in light of the ongoing anti-government protests in the neighbouring country. Violent demonstrations had continued in Nepal for a second day, defying public gathering restrictions, as demonstrators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and vandalised the residences of several political leaders. Oli resigned from his post later in the day.
"We love Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. We love all the bordering countries," Banerjee said at the Kolkata airport before leaving for an administrative tour of North Bengal. "I also urge residents of Siliguri, Kalimpong, and other areas near the Nepal border to maintain peace and avoid activities that could create any trouble because it is not our problem. Let them bring back normalcy. How can we interfere; this is not our matter."
She also stressed that foreign policy is the domain of the central government. "We will remain well if our neighbourhood remains well. We want peace to prevail in the neighbouring country," Banerjee said.
The Chief Minister also advised journalists not to travel to Nepal to cover the developments there. "Do not go to Nepal, risking your lives. You can cover it from Siliguri, if needed. After all, safety and security should come first. If you are going abroad then please inform the police before going abroad," she added.
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