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Principled Agreement on Abolishing Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council

Responding favorably to a long-standing demand of the Gorkha people, the Union Government on Tuesday agreed to abolish the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and put in place an alternative administrative framework. 

The decision was announced following the “positive” conclusion to the fourth bout of tripartite talks between the Center, the West Bengal government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). 

While it was agreed that the Centre would appoint an interlocutor after consultations with the GJM and the West Bengal government, no name for the position was announced.

At the meeting the Center was represented by Union Home Secretary GK Pillai, while the GJM delegation was led by central committee member Amar Lama and the West Bengal government by chief secretary and home secretary.

A Central team will soon visit Darjeeling to take stock of development initiatives in the hill region.

The next round f talks are now scheduled to be held in Darjeeling on December 21.

Speaking after the meeting, Pillai said: “It was agreed, in principle, to repeal the DGHC Act 1988.”

He added that the repeal of the Act would be put in motion as soon as an alternative administrative mechanism was agreed upon through mutual consultations and agreement.

The GJM later described the meeting as a “success.”

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