WB Govt and GJM talks inconclusive

Kolkata, Jul 27 (UNI) The talks between the West Bengal government and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) ended inconclusive today with the hill outfit rejecting an overture for greater autonomy and insisting on creation of a separate state for Darjeeling.

'' We have rejected outright the Chief Minister's offer for more autonomy and financial power to Darjeeling Gorha Hill Council (DGHC). We have come here for Gorkhaland, and we shall stick to that demand, '' GJM Central Committee member Amar Lama told reporters after the one-and-a-half-hour meeting at the state secretariat.

Declaring that the party would continue its 'democratic and peaceful movement' in support of the statehood demand, the GJM leader said the nature of the agitation would be decided once they reached Darjeeling.

While maintaining that Bengal should remain undivided, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, however, agreed in principle on tripartite talks involving the Centre, but asked the Gorkha leaders to come to political consensus with the state Government before that.

Mr Lama led a four-member delegation of GJM, which had been spearheading a movement for Gorkhaland, for holding talks with the Chief Minister following an invitation.

MORE UNI KDG SJC DB1941