Giri writes to CM for talks

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 2 February 2019, Darjeeling: Roshan Giri said on Friday he had written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressing "willingness to join any talks" on the identity of the Gorkhas.

Mamata had broached the "identity" issue at a programme in Darjeeling on January 23, Netaji's birthday. Politics in the hills has hinged on "identity" to the extent that development issues often take a back seat in the political nar- Roshan Giri rative.

On Friday, Giri said in a statement posted on social media: "I have welcomed the statement made by Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee and thanked her for highlighting the need to safeguard the Gorkha Identity, and her willingness to work towards finding a permanent solution to the long-pending demand of our people." Giri, a confidant of former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung, are on the run after cases were filed against them over violence during the 2017 statehood agitation. "The post-script is simple. Roshan Giri and Bimal Gurung want to engage with Mamata Banerjee now," said an observer.

In his message, Giri said he had extended "whole-hearted support to any initiative aimed at resolving the long pending demands of our people". "I have assured the Chief Minister of our willingness to join any talks and discussion regarding the same." All leaders from the hills, particularly since the Subash Ghisingh era in 1980 -- the violent Gorkhaland agitation started in 1986 and claimed 1,200 lives -- have had their politics revolving on Gorkhaland.

Giri said the hill agitations starting from 1986 were a "testament to the fact that temporary stop-gap measures in the form of semi-autonomous bodies like Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration will never fulfil the aspirations of our people".

In the tripartite agreement signed between the Centre, state and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on creation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Adminstration, Giri had represented the Morcha.