Talks on track but Morcha refuses to lift blockade

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Express news service

Posted online: Thursday , February 28, 2008 at 02:13:40
Updated: Thursday , February 28, 2008 at 02:33:35

Kolkata, February 27 Talks between Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and the seven-member Darjeeling Gorkha Janmukti Morcha led by Bimal Gurung, remained inconclusive.

After an hour-long meeting with Bhattacharjee this evening, Gurung said: “The talks went off very well. It will continue. The CM will get back to us on certain issues after he talked to some Central ministers regarding our demands.” He, however, underlined that there was no question of lifting the economic blockade and discontinuing the indefinite hungerstrike.

The Morcha has two main demands — immediate removal of Subhas Ghisingh from the Hill Council where he is posted as the administrator and the withdrawal of the Sixth Schedule Bill, granting tribal status to the DGHC. The Bill is to be tabled in the current session of Parliament.

Gurung also renewed his threat to Ghisingh, saying the people of Darjeeling will not allow him to return. “They (the people) are guarding the hills round the clock. How will Ghisingh go back to Darjeeling? It is better if he stays back in Santiniketan,” he said. In Santiniketan, Ghisingh told mediapersons that he was the one who had originally raised the statehood demand for Darjeeling. But under the present circumstances, Sixth Schedule status will be good for the people and he was there to ensure smooth passage of the Bill, he said (see box). Bhattacharjee or other senior officials refused to comment on the talks.

The delegation were treated as a “state guests”. They were provided accommodation at a private hotel and will be in the city for a few more days.

In search of peace?

While Bimal Gurung was busy meeting the CM at the Writers’ Buildings, Subhas Ghisingh decided to visit Santiniketan. He reached at Bolpur around 4 pm for a three-hour tour on Wednesday. He said he welcomed the CM’s meeting with the Morcha leaders. “This is a good effort. In democracy, these efforts are always welcome. I hope this dialogue will bring peace in the hills very soon.” He added, “I have fought for the hills since 1979. I’m not against the Gorkhaland mov-ement. With the Sixth Schedule status, the Hill Council will get more power. Unfortunately, a section of the people do not understand this.” Before leaving Santiniketan, he said: “I’ll return to Darjeeling within a day or two.” `

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