At a tripartite meeting between the federal government, West Bengal state government and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, it was also decided to appoint an interlocutor to carry forward the discussions and send a central team to Darjeeling to review the development works there.
"It was agreed, in principle, to repeal of the DGHC Act 1988. The repeal of the Act would be in process as soon as an alternative administrative setup/ framework is finalized through mutual consultations and agreement," Union Home Secretary G K Pillai announced after the meeting.
“The government of India and the government of West Bengal proposed that as an interim measure and to restore the democratic process, the elections to the Panchayat Samitis, Gram Panchayats as well as Municipalities be allowed to be held. The GJM stated that they would consult and revert back to the State Government,” said the statement.
The three sides agreed that the proposal for establishment of a Hill Council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution would be dropped.
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, spearheading the movement in Darjeeling for separate statehood, had also successfully organized human chains in three hill-sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong to press the Centre for early bifurcation of West Bengal and creation of a Gorkha state. The GJM said that a peaceful and conducive atmosphere would be maintained and all the parties agreed to work in a spirit of constructive cooperation to carry the talks forward.
Shutdown to protest tripartite talks
The business town of Siliguri and India´s largest tea producing belts of Dooars and Tarai were shut on Tuesday responding to a 24-hour bandh called by five mass organizations to protest the tripartite talks over Gorkhaland in New Delhi.
The blockades erected by the pro-bandh supporters hampered movement of essentials to uphills of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Gangtok and parts of north east states.
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