Gurung to delay public appearance as tripartite talks imminent: GJM

Darjeeling, Oct 28 (IANS) Claiming that the Central government would soon announce the date for proposed tripartite talks on Gorkhaland issue, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha on Saturday said party chief Bimal Gurung would not make his pre-announced public appearance so that the prospect of talks is not jeopardised.

Gurung, who has been in a hideout since a look out notice was issued against him by the West Bengal Police, earlier announced that he would make a public appearance on October 30.

"We have been informed that the dates for the talks with the Central government will be announced very soon. Our president Bimal Gurung is advised not to make the public appearance on October 30, lest it gives the West Bengal government an opportunity and excuse to jeopardise the upcoming talks," GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri said in a release.

"He has agreed not to make public appearance he had announced earlier. Prospective dates for his public appearance would be announced soon," he said.

Hailing the Central government for the partial withdrawal of central forces from the hills, he said the state government made desperate attempts to keep the forces to keep the Gorkhaland supporters "in a state of fear and intimidation."

"The Central government is aware of ground realities, which is why they have pulled back the central forces from the region despite desperate attempts by West Bengal government to continue their deployment," Giri said.

Giri accused the Bengal government of trying to pin unfounded cases against Gurung and other GJM leaders and labelling the "entire Gorkha community as terrorists and militants", asserting that they would continue their movement for Gorkhaland in democratic way.