Govt slams Centre for not sending strong message to GJM

He pointed out that the Centre was a signatory to the tripartite agreement leading to the formation of the new hill council,Gorkha Territorial Administration replacing the earlier Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

To a question whether the state government would hold talks with the GJM,Deb said,“There can be a discussion. But for that to happen there is need to ensure a congenial atmosphere and normalcy.”

Claiming that normalcy would return to Darjeeling within two or three days,he said,“We are getting feedback that a large section of the people are unhappy that normal life is being disrupted indefinitely by the GJM using force.”

Stating that the Calcutta High Court had given a directive to the state government to ensure normalcy in the hills and that emergency services remained undisrupted,he said “We will be taking immediate steps.”