Talks between the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the West Bengal government on the Darjeeling crisis are expected to take place in Kolkata on June 25.
"I heard that they are coming tomorrow. In that case the meeting will be held the day after (June 25)," Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb told media-persons at Writers' Buildings without giving any details.
The talks will take place more than a week after Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee sent a letter to GJM chief Bimal Gurung inviting him for a dialogue on the Darjeeling issue without any precondition.
Meanwhile, GJM press secretary Benoy Tamang told PTI from Darjeeling on Monday that the morcha has decided to send a team of senior leaders to Kolkata with an appeal to the chief minister to help facilitate tripartite talks in New Delhi.
On whether they have received an official communication from the state government for talks on June 25, Tamang said, "No, we have not. But we heard from some sources that the meeting will be held on June 25".
Tamang said the four-member delegation would talk to the chief minister.The delegation will be led by Amar Lama, a GJM central committee member and include GJM assistant general secretary Raju Pradhan, Anmol Prasad and Dinesh Chandra Rai, the GJM legal cell chief.
Both Tamang and another GJM central committee member D K Pradhan said the delegation would seek the chief minister's help in preparing for tripartite talks involving the Centre.
Gurung said in Darjeeling on Monday that he would not be going to Kolkata for talks with the chief minister, but would be instead looking at the possibility of tripartite discussions. State Home Secretary A M Chakraborty said no formal communication had been received from the GJM as yet.
"No letter had been sent to the chief minister regarding talks. However, the chief minister is very keen on finding a solution to the Darjeeling problem," the home secretary said. "If the morcha wants to talk to him, we can arrange it." On the possible subject of discussion, Chakraborty said it could be restoration of peace and law and order.
Chakraborty wondered why the GJM was insisting on tripartite talks, saying bilateral talks could be held once or twice and only then were tripartite talks possible. On the GJM's decision to switch to GLP numbers on cars, Chakraborty said no permission could be given to the illegal numbers.
GJM general secretary Roshan Giri who is leading another GJM delegation for talks with the United Progressive Alliance and National Democratic Alliance leaders told media-persons at Bagdogra before leaving for Delhi on Monday that they would meet Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Tuesday, besides the Leader of the Opposition L K Advani. Giri said the GJM would also hold a dharna in support of their demand for a Gorkhaland at Jantar Mantar during their stay in the capital.
