Mamata calls for shutdown withdrawal, permanent solution to hill problem

Jalpaiguri, Sep. 12 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday stressed on finding a permanent solution to the crisis in the state’s northern hills and announced sops for various sections of the people during a meeting with parties from the region here.

Describing the meeting held at the state’s northern secretariat Uttarkanya as ‘positive’, Banerjee called for lifting the indefinite hill shutdown, which has been continuing for 89 days.

The next round of meetings would be held on October 16, she declared.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and other hill-based parties, which took part in the deliberations, sought a tripartite meeting – involving them and the central and state government – on their demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

However, the state government argued that it was not in a position to commit on the issue now.

“We want the shutdown to be lifted completely. In democracy, dialogue process, negotiation – these are very important.

“Hills are in our heart. We want a permanent solution. The people in the hills also have their sentiments,” Banerjee said.

Responding to a 17-point memorandum submitted by Binay Tamang, who leads one GJM faction and has been expelled by party chief Bimal Gurung, Banerjee urged government employees to join duty in the hills within 15 days.

“Whoever joins by September 25 will get one month Durga Puja advance,” she announced.

Banerjee also promised to restore the public distribution system completely as early as possible once normalcy returned in the hills.

With classes disrupted in the schools in the hills due to the turmoil, the Chief Minister announced that a special allowance would be given to the teachers for a year for taking classes during winter.

Banerjee said a Group of Ministers have been formed on the issue of paying minimum wages to the tea garden workers and the Chief Secretary would hold talks with owners for reopening closed tea gardens.

Tamang demanded restoration peace and normalcy in the his at the earliest, and urged the state government to take initiative immediately for tripartite talks on Gorkhaland.

The GJM also asked for a high level probe into the deaths caused due to police action recently and compensation to the families of those killed and also to those who have sustained injuries.

The other demands placed by the GJM included withdrawal of old and new cases against all leaders, workers and sympathisers and release of all those arrested for participating in the Gorkhaland agitation.

Besides, it sought high level inquiry into the recent bomb blasts and withdrawal of the ban on some local televidion channels and digital media so that they can function freely.