KOLKATA: In what is being seen as a positive step to resolve the Gorkhaland impasse, Gorkhaland Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung has expressed his support and trust in the Mamata Banerjee-led Government and agreed to resume talks.
Gurung met the West Bengal Chief Minister at the state secretariat on Monday. “The discussions were good. We will have official talks on June 6. We are happy with Mamata’s announcements for the Hills. We will talk about Gorkhaland demand later,” said Gurung.
A delegation of GJM MLAs had met Mamata last Thursday. She had also commissioned a mini-secretariat for North Bengal on Wednesday and the Budget for the North Bengal Development Board would be `200 crore.
Both sides have agreed to a meeting at the official level on June 6. The official-level talks will be attended by six government officials, including state Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh and the GJM.
If the talks are successful, then there will be tripartite discussions at the political level which would include representation from the Centre.
“Darjeeling is our brother. They are not outside of Bengal. We love them,” said Mamata. She had promised a “way out of the Darjeeling impasse in three months”, at her first press conference as the Chief Minister on May 20.
The GJM has been demanding CBI probe into the February 8 Sibchu killing where three GJM supporters had been killed in police firing.
“I have requested them that the CID is being reconstituted and to keep their faith on the CID. The Government will help the families of the victims,” said Mamata. Gurung expressed his trust in the new Government.
“There has been a change in power after 34 years. We hope we will get justice now,” said Gurung.