Gorkhaland: Centre may appoint interlocutor

The Centre has proposed to appoint an impartial interlocutor representing both the sides for the ongoing tripartite talks to resolve the Gorkhaland stalemate.

The Centre has proposed to appoint an impartial interlocutor representing both the sides for the ongoing tripartite talks to resolve the Gorkhaland stalemate.

The proposal was mooted by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta during the second round of tripartite talks between the Centre, state government and Gorkha Janamukti Morcha in New Delhi on December 29, said Roshan Giri, Morcha secretary on Friday.

Giri said appointing an interlocutor would be decided during a meeting of the party8217;s central committee over the next few days. 8220;We feel the talks were held in a cordial manner.8221;

Sources in the state Home Department said the second round of talks had proceeded along predictable lines, with the Morcha adamant on its demand for a Gorkhaland. The 17-member Morcha delegation, which included two former senior IAS officers from Darjeeling, returned from the talks on Friday.

Following the talks, the delegation stayed in New Delhi to meet Home Minister P Chidambaram on December 30. Giri said Chidambaram had promised to consider the Morcha8217;s demands and that the Centre was 8220;very keen8221; to solve the issue at the earliest.

8220;In the meantime, he requested us to continue thenbsp;ongoing talk process,8221; Giri said. The delegation also held a meeting with Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh over the non-functional tea gardens in the Hills.

While the state government delegation comprising the chief secretary, home secretary and other top officials did not issue any statement on the talks, sources told The Indian Express that the Centre has requested the Morcha to tone down its agitation till the general elections are completed.

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8220;They were told that since talks are on, the district administration should be allowed to function in a normal manner,8221; sources said.

Giri claimed that during the talks, the state government delegation admitted to the 8220;failure8221; of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council DGHC. No elections have been held in the Council for years now.

8220;We made it clear that we don8217;t want more economic benefits or increased administrative powers. Nothing but Gorkhaland will solve the issue,8221; said Giri.

8220;We told them that DGHC is a closed chapter, and should be considered in that light. We also highlighted the threat posed demographically by the unrestrained influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh,8221; he added.