Siliguri Corridor

The Siliguri Corridor, or Chicken's Neck, is a narrow stretch of land, located in the Indian state of West Bengal, that connects India's northeastern states to the rest of India, with the countries of Nepal and Bangladesh lying on either side of the corridor. The kingdom of Bhutan lies on the northern side of the corridor.

The city of Siliguri, in the state of West Bengal, is the major settlement in this area and the central node that connects Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling hills, Northeast India and the rest of India.

History

The Siliguri Corridor was created in 1947 after the partition of Bengal between India and Pakistan (former state of East Bengal, now independent Bangladesh).

Importance

Although the Siliguri Corridor is an especially important and sensitive territory for India, its location has created a political reality that is also important for Bangladesh. The separation of India and Bangladesh occurred as a result of hostility between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. From the very beginning, the relationship between these two new states was marked by hostilities and confrontations.

Siliguri

Siliguri ( pronunciation ) is a city located in the Darjeeling district and Jalpaiguri district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Siliguri is located on the banks of the Mahananda River and the foothills of the Himalayas.

History

The city of Siliguri began on the banks of the Mahananda River at Saktigarh, a small town which is now in the southern part of the city. When the British East India Company introduced railways to Northeast India, it enhanced the importance of the region. The population of the town continuously increased leading to its expansion because of many immigrants from Bangladesh, Nepal, southern Bhutan and adjacent Indian states.

Climate

Demographics

Siliguri has experienced a huge surge in population in recent times. Based on Census data of 2011, the city had a population of 513,264, while the population of Siliguri UA/Metropolitan is 705,579. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. In Siliguri, 10% of the population is under six years of age.

Siliguri has received waves of immigration over the years, most prominent being the migrants from the erstwhile East Bengal during the Partition of India, Nepal and Bihar. In addition, people from Jharkhand and other parts of India have also come to the city in search of livelihood.

Siliguri (Vidhan Sabha constituency)

Siliguri (Vidhan Sabha constituency) is an assembly constituency in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Overview

As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No. 26 Siliguri (Vidhan Sabha constituency) covers ward nos. 1 to 30 and 45 to 47 of Siliguri municipal corporation.

Siliguri (Vidhan Sabha constituency) is part of No. 4 Darjeeling (Lok Sabha constituency).

Members of Legislative Assembly

Ward Nos. 31 to 44 of Siliguri municipal corporation are covered by Dabgram-Phulbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)

Election results

2011

In the West Bengal state assembly election, 2011, Rudra Nath Bhattacharya of Trinamool Congress defeated his nearest rival Ashok Narayan Bhattacharya of CPI(M).

2006

In the West Bengal state assembly election, 2006, Ashok Bhattacharya of CPI(M) defeated his nearest rival Nantu Paul of Congress.

2001

In the 2001 elections, Ashok Bhattacharjee of CPIM defeated his nearest rival Prasanta Nandy of Trinamool Congress.

1977-2006