Gorkhaland demand not a closed chapter: Gorkhaland Janamukti Morcha

Sukna (West Bengal), July 18 : The demand for Gorkhaland was not a closed chapter, a member of the Gorkhaland Janamukti Morcha (GJM) said Monday while describing the tripartite agreement as a temporary solution rather than a permanent one."As far as the Gorkhaland demand is concerned, it is not a closed chapter...the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) is just a temporary settlement for the economic development of the Darjeeling hills. It is not a permanent solution," said T. Arjun, member of the 'intellectual forum of the GJM' and a former West Bengal civil services officer.

The West Bengal and central governments as well as the GJM will later in the day sign a tripartite agreement at Sukna in Kurseong sub-division, near the plains of Siliguri of Darjeeling district.

At the core of the agreement is the formation of a new autonomous, elected hill council, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), armed with more powers compared to its former avatar, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, formed in the late 1980s.

Asked if the GJM would withdraw its demand for a separate state if the GTA worked properly, Arjun said: "If the West Bengal government supports us and if there is goodwill, then we will not have any movement as of now but the demand will always be there."

He added that GJM chief Bimal Gurung would not take up any office in the GTA but would provide guidance.

--IANS