Hills parties to meet CM today

Darjeeling: All eyes are trained on the meeting called by the state government in Nabanna on Tuesday at 4 pm. Though the Hill parties are planning to bring the Gorkhaland demand to the table, people are hoping that the ongoing indefinite bandh is lifted.

The Hill political outfits set out for Kolkata on Monday. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Gorkha National Liberation Front, Jan Andolan Party, Trinamool Congress and representatives of the development boards will be attending the talks.

Binay Tamang, Chief Coordinator, GJM leading a 5 member team talking to media persons at the Bagdogra Airport hailed the state government's call for talks.

When questioned on whether Gorkhaland would be raised in the talks, Tamang stated "Gorkhaland features in our agenda. Along with this, we will discuss the ongoing impasse and also action to benefit the masses" added Tamang.

Tamang feels that all alternative arrangements like the DGHC, GTA had failed in the Hills, hence a permanent solution needs to be worked out. When asked whether the bandh would be lifted Tamang stated: "Let the peace talks begin accordingly it will be decided."

Meanwhile, GJM Chief Bimal Gurung who has remained incommunicado in an audio recording dispatched from an undisclosed location on Sunday had stated that if any other issue is raised by the state government other than Gorkhaland then the Hill parties should walk out.

JAP will be sending a 5 member team to the talks led by President Harka Bahadur Chettri. The team includes Amar Lama, Anmol Prasad, Pratibha Kumari and RC Giri.

The GNLF team will comprise of 7 members. "We will announce the names on Tuesday, " stated Mahendra Chettri.