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GJM rejects Buddhadeb’s invitation for talks

Special Correspondent

Says it is willing for talks on statehood, but there should be tripartite discussions involving the Union government

— Photo: PTI

On high alert: Security personnel patrol a violence-hit area of Siliguri on Friday.

KOLKATA: Even as Siliguri and adjoining areas in West Bengal remained tense on Friday with paramilitary forces patrolling the streets, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) turned down an invitation from Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for talks here on June 18 to end the stalemate in Darjeeling hills.

“We have received a letter from the Chief Minister but what it states is that the talks will essentially be over ways to speed up development in the region when what we are seeking is nothing but a political solution to a political problem,” Roshan Giri, GJM general secretary, told The Hindu over telephone from Darjeeling.

“Let us see what happens,” Mr. Bhattacharjee said when he was asked about the GJM’s rejection of his invitation.

The GJM leadership, however, in deference to an appeal from Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, decided to further relax till June 16 its bandh, called to highlight its demand for a separate State. The bandh, which began on June 10, was to resume on Saturday after a 60-hour relaxation from Wednesday evening. “The Governor made a request for peace and normality in the region, so we have taken this decision,” Mr. Giri said.

Demand for probe

The GJM leadership announced that the bandh would be observed indefinitely from June 17. The agitation would be stepped up unless the government ordered a probe into the attacks on GJM activists and those supporting the demand for statehood at Siliguri and in the Dooars area over the past two days and took action against those responsible.

The GJM expressed its displeasure at not being called for the June 17 all-party meeting convened by Mr. Bhattacharjee to find ways of ending the impasse in the region.

Mr. Giri reiterated that the GJM was willing to sit for talks on the statehood demand “but there should be tripartite discussions involving the Centre.”

Mr. Bhattacharjee earlier this week said his government was prepared to hold talks with the GJM on all issues provided it dropped the statehood demand — one that could not be entertained.

In Siliguri, the 48-hour bandh called by “Amra Bangali” and other organisations — which were opposed to the Gorkhaland statehood demand — from Thursday was curtailed and called off in the afternoon. Life limped back to normal as the day progressed but prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr. PC remained in force in some areas of the town as well as in Malbazar in the Dooars. Six companies of the Central Reserve Police Force were deployed.

Trinamool stand

The Trinamool Congress has agreed to send its representative to the all-party meeting on condition that all parties and groups involved with the developments in Darjeeling be invited. Sixteen parties have been invited for the talks.

“I do not think the GJM’s statehood demand is proper … But, by isolating them [from the proposed all-party talks] I do not believe any concrete discussion can take place,” said Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee.

Congress no to division

New Delhi Special Correspondent reports:

The Congress on Friday said it was against division of West Bengal. This was in reaction to the GJM’s agitation for a separate Gorkhaland.

Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmad said the West Bengal Pradesh Congress was against division of the State and that was the view of the All-India Congress Committee too.

He said it was on WBPCC chief Priyaranjan Dasmunsi’s suggestion that Mr. Bhattacharjee had called an all-party meeting next week to discuss the issue.

Asked whether that was the stand of the government as well, he said he was speaking for the party.

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