Two GJM delegations proceed to Delhi, Kolkata for talks

Darjeeling/Siliguri, Jun 23 (UNI) Two four-member Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) delegations - one for New Delhi and another for Kolkata - today left Darjeeling for hold talks with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the Opposition leaders and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee respectively.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, leading the Delhi team, said they would call on Mr Patil tomorrow and apprise him of the situation in Darjeeling.

The delegation would also meet leader of the Opposition Lal Krishna Advani and other Central leaders to press them for calling a tripartite meeting involving Centre, the state government and hill parties, Mr Giri said prior to his departure for Delhi.

'' Our prime demand is Gorkhaland state, '' Mr Giri said as the GJM relaxed the strike for 60 hours till 0600 hours on Wednesday to allow trucks to carry essentials to replenish stocks in the hills and Sikkim also.

A separate four-member team, led by GJM assistant general secretary Raju Pradhan, is expected to reach Kolkata tomorrow to have a direct talk with Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on June 25 at Writers' Buildings.

In Siliguri, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi while lauding the Chief Minister's role on Darjeeling issue said the Centre would not directly intervene into the volatile issue.

Meanwhile, a Gangtok report said a high-level Central team, comprising Union Secretaries of Home, Defence, Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation, would arrive in the Sikkim capital tomorrow to take stock of the problems being faced by the state, following frequent 'bandhs' in the neighbouring Darjeeling district.

The team would call on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and hold a meeting with the state Chief Secretary and senior state government officials on the latest situation.

MORE UNI XC-PC SJC ATI UCS1830