Trouble at tripartite talks

Representatives of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha GJM created quite a flutter during the recent round of tripartite talks with the Centre and the West Bengal government when they presented their 102-point proposal for setting up an interim authority in the troubled hill areas. Apparently carrying only a single copy of the draft proposal,the GJM leaders chose to hand it over to the Centres representatives,much to the chagrin of West Bengals representatives attending the talks. Realising the volatility of the issue,officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs lost no time in getting the proposal photocopied and handing over a copy to the West Bengal officials. While that defused some of the tension,the West Bengal government officials were clearly not happy. Those familiar with the talks said the next round of talks,in mid-May,could see some real fireworks.