Gorkha Janashakti Morcha seeks tripartite talks

Intensifying their efforts to hold tripartite talks on their demand for a separate state, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha on Friday wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee asking him to take an initiative in the matter.

"I have written a letter requesting the chief minister to arrange a tripartite meeting with the Centre. The letter is being faxed to CM's office," GJM president Bimal Gurung told PTI from Darjeeling.

Bhattacherjee had asked the GJM delegation to communicate the GJM leadership's views after returning to Darjeeling following the June 27 talks in Kolkata.

The chief minister had offered more autonomy and financial powers to the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council which the GJM has rejected.

Gurung made it clear that henceforth talks had to be held in Delhi and not in Kolkata. "How many times will we be go to Kolkata for talks?" Gurung said.

The letter came a day before the GJM central committee is to hold a crucial meeting in Darjeeling on Saturday to decide whether the indefinite bandh would be resumed in Darjeeling hills.

Asked whether there would be further relaxation of the bandh, Gurung said, "We will take a decision in our meeting on Saturday." The relaxation of the bandh would expire on Sunday.