Official-level talks on Gorkhaland fail

Official-level talks on Gorkhaland has failed to make a headway owing to Gorkha

Janmukti Morcha's insistence on discussing the territorial jurisdiction of the proposed interim authority.

"The talks (in Delhi) did not progress yesterday (Tuesday). GJM representatives wanted to discuss the territory by including the Dooars. We did not want to discuss territory. The agenda of discussion was the formation and functioning of the proposed interim authority," West Bengal Home Secretary Samar Ghosh told the media on Wednesday.

GJM chief Bimal Gurung, who had been demanding a separate Gorkhaland state since inception of the party in 2007, has floated the proposal for an interim set-up in the hills till December 31.

According to Ghosh, who represented the state government along with other officials at the meeting, the state government wanted the interim authority to be set up first before determining its territorial jurisdiction.

Another round of tripartite political-level talk would be held later and its date and venue would be decided by the Centre, he said.

Earlier, state Urban Development Minister and Siliguri Member of Legislative Assembly Asok Bhattacharya said while the state government was against any further division of West Bengal, it had no difference of opinion with the Centre over development of Darjeeling hills and making the hill council more powerful.

In Delhi, official sources said it is yet to be confirmed whether the political-level talks with be held as per the schedule.

They said during the meeting, both the Centre and the state government were for limiting the proposed Darjeeling Regional Authority -- to just the hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong.

However, GJM wanted inclusion of the Gorkha-dominated parts of the Terai, Dooars and Siliguri, something which was did not find favour with both Centre and state government due to various reasons including security.

The meeting was held to prepare groundwork for the political level talks.