State Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti described the situation serious. “The hunger strike is going on and we are keeping a vigil on the situation. From today, they are not allowing any government office to be opened. This is quite unfortunate. The situation is serious. We have requested them to withdraw the strike. There cannot be talks and agitation at the same time,” he said.

The chief secretary, however, said the tripartite talks will be held in Darjeeling on December 21 as scheduled. “I myself will be present at the talks and I hope a solution to the problem would be found,” the chief secretary further said.

But the Morcha was adamant. “The fast is on and there is no question of withdrawing it now,” Amar Lama, a member of the GJM central committee which met today in Darjeeling, said.

Meanwhile, state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen met Union home ministry officials in New Delhi to discuss the issues likely to crop up at the tripartite talks.