GJM brass to stay off tripartite talks today

A 12-member team of the Morcha led by senior leader Amar Lama has already reached Delhi. State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen,Darjeeling DM Surendra Gupta and other officials will represent the state government.

The GJM stressed that recently,as a goodwill gesture,they withdrew the indefinite strike in the Hills. “We have a positive approach. During the strike also,we made a number of exemptions. The government should consider this,” said Giri.

Sources in the Writers’ Buildings stated that the state government will highlight the issue of the GJM taking over three municipalities in Darjeeling and running them illegally. Recently Darjeeling,Kurseong and Kalimpong municipalities were taken over illegally by the GJM. Soon after,GJM leader and former chairperson of Darjeeling Municipality Pema Tsering signed official papers and disbursed salary to the staff.

Consequently,elections to the municipalities and panchayats in Darjeeling on July 14 could not be held as no one filed the nomination.

Tsering said the municipalities were taken over “in the greater interest of people as the civic boards formed by the government were not functioning properly”.

All councillors of the “dissolved” boards also continued to function as before.

Meanwhile,local organisations Amra Bangali and Adivasi Vikash Parishad have given a call for a 12-hour bandh in Siliguri and adjoining areas and the Dooars on Tuesday.

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