West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari today announced that the historic Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) will soon be revived, with more than 1,000 Gorkha youths to be recruited into the force. Addressing a public rally in Kurseong under Darjeeling district to accord a grand welcome to the newly elected Chief Minister in the Darjeeling Hills, Mr Adhikari paid tribute to the valour and sacrifices of Gorkha soldiers in defending the nation. He alleged that the previous state government led by Mamata Banerjee had frozen recruitment into the Eastern Frontier Rifles. The Chief Minister said that the EFR, once regarded as a historic force, had been reduced to only two battalions during the previous regime.
Mr Adhikari further announced that recruitment to the state police force would soon be opened, creating employment opportunities for a large number of Gorkha youths. He added that at least 30 per cent of seats in state recruitment would be reserved for women.
Among those present at the rally were North Bengal Development and Hill Affairs Minister Nishit Pramanik, Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs Bishal Lama, Finance and Transport Minister Anandamay Barman, former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista.
