GJM rejects Buddha's offer for more autonomy for Darjeeling hills

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha today rejected West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's offer of more autonomy, power and funds for Darjeeling hills, saying it would not rest till its demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland is met.

"Darjeeling problem cannot be solved by anything short of Gorkhaland. We want separation from West Bengal. We are already mentally separated," GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told PTI.

On GJM's claim over Siliguri, Terai and Dooars, Giri said the areas did never belong to West Bengal before Independence.

The chief minister had yesterday dismissed formation of Gorkhaland and said the state was ready to consider more autonomy, more power and more funds for three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district.

He also asked the hill leaders not to demand Siliguri, Terai and Dooars in their proposed territory.

Giri said it was unfortunate that the chief minister had made such comments when the hill people were looking forward to the proposed political level talks, the date for which was expected to be declared by the Centre very shortly.

"This type of comment is against the spirit of talks," he said.