Govt slams Centre for not sending strong message to GJM

PTI, Siliguri, 10 August 2013:  The West Bengal government on Friday launched a scathing attack at the Centre for not sending 'a strong message' to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which has imposed an indefinite bandh in the hills to press for a separate Gorkhaland.

"The Centre has a important role to play. Their ministers are meeting GJM leaders. They can do so. But we have not as yet seen a strong message from the Centre to the GJM, which is using force and intimidation to enforce its indefinite bandh," North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb said here.

He pointed out that the Centre was a signatory to the tripartite agreement leading to the formation of the new hill council, Gorkha Territorial Administration replacing the earlier Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

To a question whether the state government would hold talks with the GJM, Deb said, "There can be a discussion. But for that to happen there is need to ensure a congenial atmosphere and normalcy."

Claiming that normalcy would return to Darjeeling within two or three days, he said, "We are getting feedback that a large section of the people are unhappy that normal life is being disrupted indefinitely by the GJM using force."

Stating that the Calcutta High Court had given a directive to the state government to ensure normalcy in the hills and that emergency services remained undisrupted, he said "We will be taking immediate steps."