Date:25/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/25/stories/2008062555841300.htm

National

Shivraj Patil open to tripartite talks: Gorkha Janamukti Morcha

Special Correspondent

Its leaders to meet Buddhadeb on June 27

Darjeeling hill council a farce: Giri
“Full statehood alone will bring lasting peace in the region”

NEW DELHI: Stepping up its efforts for creation of a full-fledged State, a four-member team of the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Tuesday met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil here and urged him to convene tripartite talks.

“We have submitted a map of Gorkhaland to the Minister and urged him to take the initiative for the tripartite talks comprising the Centre, the West Bengal government and the GJM,” general secretary, Roshan Giri, told journalists.

Mr. Giri said the Minister was open to the suggestion for holding tripartite talks. “We hope that the talks will be held soon.”

The GJM leaders would meet Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in Kolkata on June 27 and urge him to facilitate the tripartite talks in Delhi on their demand for creation of Gorkhaland, comprising Darjeeling district and contiguous areas of Dooars.

While describing the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council as a “farce,” Mr.Giri said even providing some special powers under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution would not serve any purpose.

Asked whether the GJM would withdraw its agitation after talks with the Home Minister, he said it was for GJM chief Bimal Gurung and the central committee to decide.

Asked if the Morcha would allow smooth traffic on National Highway 31A, the arterial link to Sikkim, to ensure supply of essential commodities to the State, Mr. Giri hoped that the matter would be resolved amicably.

In its three-page memorandum to Mr. Patil, the GJM said only full statehood could usher in lasting peace and fulfil the aspirations of the people of the region who have a “different identity, culture and language,” which do not “conform” to the rest of West Bengal.

The memorandum said that historically too the demand was justified as the territory was ceded by Nepal in 1815 and was never part of West Bengal prior to independence.

The GJM alleged that the entire region had been “neglected” for decades.

There was not a single major developmental project of consequence since Independence.