GJM positive on resolution of Darjeeling issue

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today expressed optimism on the resolution of the Darjeeling problem saying most of its demands were being looked into by the West Bengal government.

The organisation had an official meeting with the West Bengal government on the issue. "We had a very cordial meeting. The points we raised are on the way to be resolved," GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told reporters after the meeting at Writers' Buildings. "We raised seven points. The talks remained incomplete and will resume tomorrow," said Giri, who was accompanied by GJM MLAs Harkabahadur Chhetri and Wilson Champari besides party central committee member L B Pariar.To a question, he said that the GJM raised a demand for control over tea gardens. Asked about their main demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland, Giri said "it still stands" but declined to speak further on the issue. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has pledged to find a solution to the Darjeeling problem, had met GJM leaders here on May 26 and had asked Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh to begin talks with their leadership.