Biman Basu calls for end to Gorkhaland agitation

Kolkata, Jun 12 (UNI) Reiterating that Bengal cannot be divided, Left Front Chairman Biman Basu today called for an end to the ethnic conflict and a negotiated solution to the problem over the Gorkhaland demand.

'' The demand for a separate state has to be given up and the present situation has to be tackled through dialogues. This is the only way. Bengal cannot be divided further,'' he said in a statement.

Calling for maintaining unity between the people of the hills and the plains, Mr Basu, also the CPI(M) state committee Secretary, said it was necessary to stop the unrest over clashes between rival groups.

He also appealed to all to maintain peace and amity in Siliguri and in the Dooars area where sporadic clashes between ethnic groups took place over the past few days over the statehood agitation.

''The way the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJM) and few other organisations are taking the situation to a point of conflict is not the right path. Unity and amity among the people of the hills and plains have to be maintained at any cost,'' the CPI(M) leader said.

Mr Basu said that while the state Government had convened an all-party meeting on June 17 to find a solution to the problem, the ruling Left Front would sit for a meeting on June 14 to discuss the situation.

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