“We form 80 per cent of the population of Dooars and Terai and the Gorkhas form 7 to 8 per cent. Why should we come under them in a new state? It will be a poitical harakiri for us.

They claim that we have agreed for a new state with Gorkhas and adivasis. They are trying to get our support, but their problems and conditions are totally different compared to ours,” said Birsa Tirkey, West Bengal state president, AVP.

West Bengal minister for Urban Development

Ashok Bhattacharya, who visited the house of slain Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang last week, said today that it is time the state government acted tough in the hills to establish peace, democracy and the rule of law.

“The police will punish all perpetrators of the heinous killing. The police are also determined to provide protection to those who speak against the Morcha,” said Bhattacharya, who today met the chief minister in the morning to discuss the situation in the hills.

Bhattacharya added: “At present, a tripartite meeting is meaningless because people in the hills have lost faith in the leadership of the Morcha.”

He also questioned the role of General (retd) Vijay Madan as interlocutor in the Darjeeling talks, saying his role was “highly suspicous”.