Government is open to talks with GJM: Partha

Kolkata: State education minister Partha Chatterjee reinstated on Thursday that the government is ready to hold talks with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) if they follow “the democratic and constitutional path and shun their movements of bandh and unrest”.

“We are always ready to hold talks. But they (the Morcha) should withdraw their bandh and come for talks. They should stop ransacking government property and should not indulge in violence,” Mr Chatterjee said after an all-party meeting convened by state home secretary Moloy De at the Siliguri circuit house.

Apart from the Trinamul Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and top officials from the majority of the development boards in the Hills attended the meeting. The Congress, CPI(M) and the BJP did not turn up.

“The discussions were held in a positive way. Some parties did not attend. Many do not come at the first call but they will come gradually. The government’s aim is to restore peace in the Hills,” Mr Chatterjee said.

The people of the Hills have been at the receiving end of blows due to the bandh. “People are not getting food. Hotels are shutting down. Toursism is being hit. The economic loss has been huge. The strike should be withdrawn,” Mr De said.

He further said that it is the constitutional duty of the government to maintain public order. “The meeting that was called was unconditional. It would have been better if all of them attended. We hope they will realise the importance of these talks and will come for talks in the days to come. The government is open for talks,” he added.