The government has refuted claims circulating on social media about plans to establish a new Union Territory by merging districts from Bihar and West Bengal near the strategically significant Siliguri corridor. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) debunked these assertions, emphasizing that there is no factual basis to the speculation. The PIB urged the public to avoid relying on unverified information spread online.
The PIB clarified that there are no ongoing discussions or proposals within the government regarding the formation of such a Union Territory. Emphasizing the misinformation surrounding the issue, the agency reiterated that the social media posts claiming the creation of a new Union Territory are false. Advising caution in sharing information online, the PIB stressed the importance of verifying details from official sources before dissemination.
Following numerous social media posts suggesting the Centre’s contemplation of establishing a new Union Territory to bolster security around the Siliguri Corridor, the PIB’s clarification aimed to dispel these rumors. The unverified claims indicated the inclusion of districts like Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar from Bihar, and Malda, Uttar Dinajpur from West Bengal in the purported territory.
The rumors, which gained traction by underscoring the strategic significance of the Siliguri Corridor, have been debunked by the government. The Centre affirmed the absence of any official proposal concerning the creation of a new Union Territory in the region. The Siliguri Corridor, known as India’s ‘Chicken’s Neck,’ serves as a crucial land passage connecting the northeastern states with the mainland, supporting economic, transportation, and military activities for over 45 million residents.
