Mamata Banerjee holds talks with Gorkhaland agitators

CM rejects statehood demand

August 29, 2017 11:39 pm | Updated 11:39 pm IST - Kolkata

At the meeting with Mamata Banerjee, all stakeholders called for peace.

At the meeting with Mamata Banerjee, all stakeholders called for peace.

Almost 11 weeks into the Darjeeling shutdown, three major political parties in the hills held talks with the West Bengal government at the State Secretariat ‘Nabanna’ building here on Tuesday, reviving fresh hopes that the deadlock may be resolved.

Representatives of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Jan Andolan Party (JAP) held discussions with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, where all stakeholders underlined the need for peace and normality in the hills.

Darjeeling and Kalimpong have been shut down since June 15 over the demand for a separate State for the Gorkhas.

‘Talks fruitful’

“The discussions were fruitful, constructive and positive. Peace and normalcy should be restored. We requested them (the hill parties) for withdrawal of the bandh. Let us give them some time,” the Chief Minister said.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ms. Banerjee said: “They raised the issue of Gorkhaland. We did not agree to it. They are within their rights to raise it but the State government has certain constitutional limitations.”

GJM assistant general Benoy Tamang who raised the issue of Gorkhaland at the meeting also underlined the need for peace. “Peace and normalcy are essential. We are going to Darjeeling, the epicentre of the bandh, where we will hold discussions within our party and Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee. A decision on the withdrawal of the strike will be taken,” Mr. Tamang said.

The GJM submitted a memorandum which among others demanded compensation for those killed in the three-month bandh, a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the recent blast, withdrawal of cases against protesters and a guarantee against political victimisation of the hill leaders.

Eight Gorkhaland supporters have been killed in the violence over the statehood stir in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts which started on June 15. Schools and other academic institutions are closed in the hills and normal life, including the region’s economy based on tea and tourism, has been severely affected due to the shutdown.

JAP leader Harka Bahadur Chettri, who was present at the meeting, urged the need for tripartite talks involving the Centre.

Further talks will be held on September 12 at Uttar Kanya in north Bengal.

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