GJM Rejects Buddhadeb’s Offer, Insists on Separate Statehood
Dismissing West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s offer for more autonomy, power and funds for Darjeeling hills, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) has said that it will not rest until acceptance of its demand of separate Gorkhaland state, reported PTI.
“Darjeeling problem cannot be solved by anything short of Gorkhaland. We want separation from West Bengal. We are already mentally separated,” the GJM General Secretary, Roshan Giri, was quoted as saying.
About GJM’s claim over Siliguri, Terai and Dooars, he said that these areas were never part of West Bengal before Independence.
On Friday, Bhattacharjee had rejected demand of creation of Gorkhaland saying that the state is prepared for giving more autonomy, more power and more funds for the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district.
He also asked the hill leaders not to demand Siliguri, Terai and Dooars in their proposed territory.
In reaction, Giri termed the chief minister’s remarks as unfortunate at a time when the hill people were looking forward to the proposed political level talks, the date for which was expected to be declared by the Centre very shortly, said report.
