Centre prepones talks with GJM to August 11

New Delhi, July 18 (ANI): The Union Government has preponed tripartite talks with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the West Bengal Government to August 11 following the continuation of the indefinite shutdown in Darjeeling district.

According to sources the shutdown call given by the GJM to press for their demand including the creation of separate state for Gorkhas, is getting a good response in all three divisions of Darjeeling district.

Normal life in the hill district continues to be affected, as the shutdown has entered sixth day.

The Home Ministry has taken this decision as a goodwill gesture to the GJM and clarified that August 11 could be the earliest date for the talks due to the ongoing session of Parliament, sources said.

Earlier, the GJM opposed the Central Government's proposal to hold talks on August 24, saying it was too late.

The last tripartite talks between the GJM, the Central Government and the West Bengal Government took place in December 2008.That meeting decided to continue the talks after elections.

The GJM is alleging that some of the senior police officers, including Inspector-General of Police (North Bengal) K L Tamta, Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) A Chaturvedi and SDPO of Kurseong Partho Pa, are biased towards the CPM, and has demanded their immediate transfer. (ANI)