Gorkha Janamukti Morcha offers conditional talks

DARJEELING: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha ( GJM) today offered to hold talks on condition that arrested leaders and supporters were released, even as the indefinite agitation in Darjeeling entered the fourth day.

GJM President Gurung said talks could be held but it would be possible only when his party leaders were released from prison.

Referring to the arrests of over 700 GJM leaders and supporters made in the hills since August three, he said "How can they go if they are in jail?"

He, however, said "I will not go (to the talks). "They will go," he said referring to party leaders. In a post on social networking website Facebook, Gurung alleged that para-military were using "excessive force" during raids with some people complaining that "many things were found missing."

Earlier, GJM town committee assistant general secretary Raju Pradhan told a rally at Chowkbazar that the party would not take part in the meeting to decide on a successor to Bimal Gurung, who had resigned on July 31 as CEO of the hill council, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

Pradhan said that the GJM wanted dissolution of the GTA.