Mamata Blames Centre for Hills Council delay
SILIGURI : With the implementation of the tripartite accord for setting up a new Hills council in Darjeeling hanging fire since July last year, West Bengal chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee today sought to lay the blame on the Centre. “There has been some delay by the Centre and not on our part in formation of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (the new Hills council),” the chief minister told reporters here after a brief meeting with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJMM) general secretary Mr Roshan Giri and GJMM leader Mr Harkabahadur Chhetri here. “The Centre had sought some clarifications from us on the GTA which has been sent,” she said. Describing as 'valid' the Morcha's demands that the tripartite agreement signed on 18 July last year be implemented as early as possible, Ms Banerjee said she had already spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue. “I have already talked to the Prime minister on the subject and also sought an appointment with him either on 23 or 24 February to discuss Darjeeling and some other issues,” Ms Banerjee who is on a two-day tour of north Bengal, said.
Expressing satisfaction at the chief minister's assurance, Mr Giri said: “We are satisfied with the meeting. She has assured us to take up the GTA issue with the PM on either 23 or 24 February. The Morcha leader, however, said that the GJMM's plan to burn copies of the GTA agreement on 17 April still stood if the state government did not implement the agreement by 27 March.
Without naming CPI-M, the chief minister said that there were provocations for sparking trouble in Darjeeling. “Darjeeling is at peace. A few separatists are trying to foment trouble in Darjeeling. I warn those trying to create trouble and disturb peace. Don't play with fire. They will not be spared.” The chief minister said she would visit Darjeeling on 28 February.
(PTI)
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