The Morcha, meanwhile, announced on Wednesday that it has sent five of its ailing hunger-strikers for treatment to a hospital in Kalimpong.

The decision to provide medical treatment to these five of the 22 people on the fast-unto-death was taken after appeals from activist Medha Patkar and Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi. “Five more have joined the hunger-strike in place of those sent for treatment,” Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri said.

Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen, however, said 12 of the GJM supporters on hunger-strike outside Garubathan police station were admitted to a Kalimpong hospital.

Giri also said he will lead a delegation of GJM leaders for third meeting with the CM since January 20. On February 4, a delegation led by party president Bimal Gurung had walked out of the meeting with Bhattacharjee, saying the discussions had failed.

Sen said the meeting was called at the CM’s invitation. During the previous meeting, the government had told Gurung that tension still prevailed following the clashes with tribals in the Dooars and their demand to hold rallies in the plains could not be agreed to.

Two Bengali organisations, meanwhile, have called a 24-hour North Bengal bandh on Thursday to protest against the GJM’s demand for a separate Gorkhaland, which would also include parts of the foothills. The organisations, Amra Bangalee and Bangla Bhasa Bachao Committee, said the GJM wished to further divide Bengal.