Will decide on attending Aug 29 meeting after official invite: GJM

The Gorkha Janmukhi Morcha (GJM) would take a call on attending the August 29 talks convened by the West Bengal government to restore peace in the hill areas after receiving an official invite, a senior party leader said on Wednesday.

"We have not received any official letter from the state government. Once we receive a letter, we will conduct a party meeting, and take a decision," GJM joint general secretary Binoy Tamang told IANS over phone.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced the state government's decision to hold talks with "all major political parties" on August 29 in a bid to restore peace and normalcy in the violence-hit north West Bengal hills.

She said the decision was taken after Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), a hill outfit, wrote to the state government, urging that talks be held to end the present crisis in Darjeeling hills.

Meanwhile, former state minister and sitting CPI-M legislator Ashok Bhattacharya called upon the state government to ensure the GJM - the principal party in the hills - attended the meeting.

He also pitched for a tripartite meeting involving the Centre, state and all the hill parties.

The hills in northern Bengal have been on the boil for over two months after the GJM renewed the demand for creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland comprising a part of north Bengal.

Normal life has been paralysed in the hills following an indefinite shutdown called by the GJM from June 12.

With the shutdown entering the 72nd day on Wednesday, the hill's economy - based on tea, timber and tourism - has taken a big hit.

--IANS

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