GJM accepts CM's proposal for talks in Kolkata

Siliguri, Feb 26 (UNI) The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha today decided to accept the formal request of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to hold a meeting on the Sixth Schedule for the Darjeeling Hills at Kolkata tomorrow.

The GJM Central Committee came to this decision after holding a meeting here this evening and announced that a seven-member delegation, led by GJM president Bimal Gurung, will meet Mr Bhattacharjee at the Writer's Buildings tomorrow evening to discuss the issue of the Sixth Schedule as also demand for a separate Gorkhaland.

''However, we will not withdraw our agitation or relax the strike. Until tomorrow's meeting leads to a positive outcome for the Gorkhas, our agitation will continue unabated,'' Mr Gurung asserted.

''We want that DGHC administrative head Subash Ghisingh should be removed from his position and the proposed Sixth Schedule, which was to be passed in the coming budget session of Parliament, be cancelled, because it is not suitable for the Hill area,'' GJM Spokesperson Benoy Tamang said.

Jalpaiguri Divisional Commissioner B L Meena, who yesterday went to Darjeeling to make an assessment of the scenario, today met DM Rajesh Pandey and urged Mr Gurung to meet the chief minister since they have received the formal letter.

Mr Meena said they had requested Mr Gurung to withdraw their agitation, keeping in view the worsening situation in the Hills.

''However, they have refused to do so and have said that they will stick to their position until their demands were met,'' Mr Meena said.

''The question of withdrawing the agitation does not even arise,'' Mr Gurung reiterated.

EDS:Here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI XC LL PL RN1806