The indication of the GJM scaling down its belligerent stand on the statehood issue and a bonhomie with the newly elected Trinamool Congress-led Government appeared palpable after its president Bimal Gurung, who led an eight-member team to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat.
''A meeting on Darjeeling matters will be held at the state secretariat on June six involving departmental secretaries and GJM representatives. Then we will discuss and set the political process.
The Chief Secretary will talk to Delhi so that the Centre's representative attend the next meeting,'' the Chief Minister said.
She said today that the GJM delegation only paid a 'courtesy' visit and today's meeting did not discuss anything regarding the Gorkhaland issue since the matter had already been taken up at the tripartite level.
''Don't do anything which might worsen the situation,'' she told reporters when a question was put at Mr Gurung, who was present with her, whether the Gorkhaland issue was discussed.
Apart from the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh was present at the meeting. The GJM team comprised besides Mr Gurung, the orgainsation's General Secretary Roshan Giri, its advisors P Arjun and L P Paria and four party MLAs.
Though neither did the Chief Minister nor Mr Gurung spell out, the GJM was believed to have put a thaw on the demand for separate state, seeking autonomy and more power for three hill subdivisions of Dareeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong besides in the Nepalese populated areas of the Dooars and Terai in the plains.
The previous Left Front Government, though ready to accord greater autonomy, was against allowing the area beyond the hills.
In the Assembly elections, the GJM had supported the Trinamool Congress-Congress alliance against the Left Front.
''We all want that the Darjeeling problem is resolved fast.
Everything can be done if there is the right political vision,'' Ms Banerjee said.
''They are our brothers. They are not outsiders, but they are very much within West Bengal,'' she said.
The Chief Minister informed that her Government assured the GJM of a proper inquiry by the Criminal Investigation Department of state police into the police firing on February eight in which three GJM supporters were killed during a demonstation at Sibchu in the Dooars.
''They sought a CBI probe, but we have assured them of a thorough inquiry by the CID, which we are going to restructure,'' Ms Banerjee said.
She also announced that compensation would be paid to the families of the victims.
The Sibchu incident took place during the height of Gorkhaland agitation during the time of the previous Left Front Government.
''We are happy at what the Madam has thought. It is good that her Government has come to power ending the 34 years of Left rule. We came here to congratulate her. We will wait for the coming days. We want justice. We believe it will be good for whatever happens in future,'' Mr Gurung said.
The Chief Secretary will talk to Delhi so that the Centre's representative attend the next meeting,'' the Chief Minister said.
She said today that the GJM delegation only paid a 'courtesy' visit and today's meeting did not discuss anything regarding the Gorkhaland issue since the matter had already been taken up at the tripartite level.
''Don't do anything which might worsen the situation,'' she told reporters when a question was put at Mr Gurung, who was present with her, whether the Gorkhaland issue was discussed.
Apart from the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh was present at the meeting. The GJM team comprised besides Mr Gurung, the orgainsation's General Secretary Roshan Giri, its advisors P Arjun and L P Paria and four party MLAs.
Though neither did the Chief Minister nor Mr Gurung spell out, the GJM was believed to have put a thaw on the demand for separate state, seeking autonomy and more power for three hill subdivisions of Dareeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong besides in the Nepalese populated areas of the Dooars and Terai in the plains.
The previous Left Front Government, though ready to accord greater autonomy, was against allowing the area beyond the hills.
In the Assembly elections, the GJM had supported the Trinamool Congress-Congress alliance against the Left Front.
''We all want that the Darjeeling problem is resolved fast.
Everything can be done if there is the right political vision,'' Ms Banerjee said.
''They are our brothers. They are not outsiders, but they are very much within West Bengal,'' she said.
The Chief Minister informed that her Government assured the GJM of a proper inquiry by the Criminal Investigation Department of state police into the police firing on February eight in which three GJM supporters were killed during a demonstation at Sibchu in the Dooars.
''They sought a CBI probe, but we have assured them of a thorough inquiry by the CID, which we are going to restructure,'' Ms Banerjee said.
She also announced that compensation would be paid to the families of the victims.
The Sibchu incident took place during the height of Gorkhaland agitation during the time of the previous Left Front Government.
''We are happy at what the Madam has thought. It is good that her Government has come to power ending the 34 years of Left rule. We came here to congratulate her. We will wait for the coming days. We want justice. We believe it will be good for whatever happens in future,'' Mr Gurung said.
--UNI
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