Context:
The Union Government has appointed Pankaj Kumar Singh, former Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) and ex-Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), as the interlocutor to hold talks with Gorkha groups regarding their long-standing political demands, including the creation of a separate State of Gorkhaland.
Key Highlights / Details
 Appointment Details
- Pankaj Kumar Singh, 1988-batch retired IPS officer, appointed as interlocutor by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- First interlocutor in the Gorkha issue after Gen. (Retd.) Vijay Madan, who resigned in 2011.
- Appointment comes ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, giving it political significance.
 Core Demands of Gorkha Groups
- Creation of a separate State of Gorkhaland comprising Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars.
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for 11 Gorkha sub-communities.
- A permanent political solution under the Constitution.
- Greater autonomy and recognition of identity.
 Political Context
- Gorkhaland demand active since the 1980s, led initially by the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF).
- Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) later spearheaded the movement.
- BJP has political influence in Darjeeling for two decades, often mentioning “permanent political solution” in earlier manifestos.
- Ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) opposes state bifurcation.
 Recent Developments
- MHA resumed dialogue with Gorkha leaders in April 2025 after a gap of 3 years.
- Dialogue chaired by MoS Home Nityanand Rai.
- Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista welcomed appointment—called it peaceful progress.
- GJM and GNLF termed appointment a “historic step”.
- TMC called it a “political gimmick” ahead of elections.
Relevant Prelims Points
- Interlocutor: A mediator appointed by the government to facilitate dialogue with conflicting groups.
- Article 3: Deals with formation of new States or alteration of State boundaries.
- DGHC (1988) and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (2011) were earlier semi-autonomous arrangements.
- Doctrines involved: Conflict resolution, cooperative federalism, Article 244 (Fifth Schedule areas relevance).
Relevant Mains Points
- Issues of ethnic identity, regional autonomy, and governance.
- Challenges of sub-nationalism and statehood demands in India.
- Centre-State relations in federal restructuring.
- Role of dialogue in conflict resolution in sensitive regions.
- Balancing development and identity aspirations.