New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday advised the Gorkha
Janmukti Morcha (GJM) to hold dialogue with the new West
Bengal government and find out a common ground on their demand
for a separate Gorkhaland.
This was conveyed by Home Minister P Chidambaram to a GJM
delegation which met him here.
The Home Minister told the Gorkha leaders to discuss their
demand with the representatives of West Bengal government at
their meeting on June 6 and try to find out a common ground
after which the Centre will arrange a tripartite meeting,
sources said.
GJM chief Bimal Gurung said the Mamata Banerjee-led
government has given them hope to find an amicable solution.
"In the coming days, we will plan and talk to the Chief
Minister. We don`t want to put pressure on the new government.
We will talk methodically," he said.
GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said they were very
hopeful that demand of Gorkhaland will be taken seriously.
"We want the new government to settle down, then we will
talk. There is no rush for talks," he said.
Sources said the next meeting will deliberate on the
possibility of setting up of the proposed Darjeeling Regional
Authority comprising the districts of Darjeeling and adjoining
areas.
Since its inception in 2007, the GJM has been demanding a
separate state that includes Siliguri sub-division of
Darjeeling district in the plains and contiguous areas in
neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.
PTI
