Gorkha talks to take place on 11th August

New Delhi, July 19 (ANI): As the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha sponsored indefinite shutdown continues in Darjeeling, Centre has preponed the tripartite talks involving the West Bengal government and the GJM scheduled on August 11 in New Delhi.

"This has been done as a goodwill gesture to GJM. This is the earliest possible date for holding the tripartite talks after the current Parliament session ends," a Home Ministry official said.

Earlier, the Centre had proposed to hold the talks on 24th August but the GJM wanted it to be preponed.

Normal life continued to be affected for the sixth day in all three sub-divisions of Darjeeling district owing to the indefinite bandh called by the GJM to press for their demands, including creation of a separate state for Gorkhas.

Besides a separate statehood, the GJM is also pressing for immediate transfer of Inspector-General of Police (north Bengal) K L Tamta, additional superintendent of police (headquarters) A Chaturvedi and SDPO of Kurseong Partho Pal, whom it accused of playing into the hands of the CPI(M) and showing vindictive attitude against the GJM supporters.

The last tripartite meeting between the three sides took place on 29th December last year where it was decided to take forward the talks after the Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)