Darjeeling issue can be solved though political dialogue: Ahluwalia

BJP MP S S Ahluwalia today appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung to resolve the Darjeeling problem through political dialogue.

The MP from Darjeeling, who refused to comment on the Supreme Court order dismissing Gurung's plea seeking protection against coercive steps by the West Bengal Police in cases lodged against him, said if needed he can mediate to start a political dialogue between the former GJM leader and the state government.

"I believe that these problems can be solved through political dialogues. It cannot be solved through bullets or putting people behind the bars or suppressing their voice.

"I appeal to the chief minister to intervene and also appeal to Bimal Gurung not to indulge in any other agitation and come to the solution point. And wherever my mediation is needed I am ready for that," Ahluwalia told PTI.

The West Bengal police had claimed that Gurung and some of his aides were absconding after being booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the violence during the June-September 2017 shutdown in the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

The GJM central committee had earlier suspended Gurung for six months and appointed Binay Tamang as the party's new president.

Ahluwalia said, "After the agitation started in the hills, intervention came from the Centre, state and they had a detailed dialogue with Bimal Gurung, and came out with a memorandum of agreement on July 18, 2011. This time too there should be a political dialogue.