Discussions with Chidambaram on separate Gorkhaland state positive: Roshan Giri
January 26th, 2011 - 6:24 pm ICT by ANI
New Delhi, Jan 26 (ANI): Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) General Secretary Roshan Giri has termed the discussions with Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram over the formation of a separate Gorkhaland state as fruitful.
Giri who led a delegation of his outfit said: “We had a detailed discussion on our demand with the Home Minister. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and was very positive.”
He further said the details of this meeting would be revealed after he returns to Darjeeling and holds deliberations with GJM President Bimal Gurung and other senior office bearers.
” We will divulge the details of this meeting after having deliberations with our President,” he added.
Ashok Bhattacharya, Minister of Urban Development in West Bengal represented the state government in the tripartite parleys.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh was also part of the delegation
Giri had announced on January 6 that a 25-day long shutdown would be enforced in Darjeeling.
According to Giri, the members of the Central Committee of GJMM would also hold a ‘fast unto death’ strike, slated to begin from February 16.
“The Central Government must clear its stance on the Gorkhaland issue. It has been our demand and is intrinsically linked with the people’s aspirations. 99 percent of people in this region want a separate state.
The government must clarify its position on the matter. We do not have any option but to protest through democratic means. This is why, the region would be closed down and following this, our party leaders would fast unto death,” said Giri.
A renewed demand for a separate Gorkhaland region, which would include Darjeeling and some contiguous areas of Jalpaiguri District, has created fresh turmoil over the past few months.
The four issues obstructing the interim authority are territorial jurisdiction, its authority to manage the regional tea gardens, the selection of its members and a description of the councils legislative powers.
At the fifth round of tripartite talks in New Delhi, the GJM had agreed to the constitution of an interim council by 2011 prior to the creation of a separate state.
The Gorkha population in West Bengal estimated to be around a million has been demanding a separate state. (ANI)
- A non-political outfit calls for 48-hour shutdown in Siliguri - Jan 16, 2011
- Interim council will not dilute demand for separate State: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha - Aug 20, 2010
- Protests in Siliguri over death of two GJM members - Feb 13, 2011
- Darjeeling should be declared backward region: GJM - Dec 24, 2011
- Mamata blames centre for delay on Gorkha autonomy (Lead) - Feb 11, 2012
- GJM to boycott Rajya Sabha polls - Mar 18, 2012
- Mamata blames centre for delay on Gorkha autonomy - Feb 11, 2012
- Second round of tri-partite talks on Gorkhaland held - Jul 24, 2010
- GJM threatens to renew Gorkhaland demand - Feb 09, 2012
- Bimal Gurung blames WB Govt. for spate of shutdowns and strikes - Feb 14, 2011
- Gorkhaland supporters stage a rally in Siliguri - Mar 19, 2010
- Ahead of meet with GJM, Mamata rejects Bengal's division (Lead) - Feb 11, 2012
- Darjeeling bracing for peaceful settlement: Bimal Gurung - Nov 04, 2010
- Darjeeling issue solved, says Mamata after talks with GJM (Lead) - Jun 07, 2011
- Darjeeling Gorkhas hope hill council will get a nod - Mar 03, 2012
Tags: ashok, bhattacharya, central committee, contiguous areas, cordial atmosphere, death strike, gjm, gorkha, gurung, interim authority, jaswant singh, p chidambaram, parleys, party leader, party leaders, roshan, tea gardens, territorial jurisdiction, union home minister, west bengal