The tripartite talks between the Centre,the state government and the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) to be held in Darjeeling on December 21 are going to be held in a more congenial atmosphere than was expected as the Morcha leadership meets in Darjeeling tomorrow to decide on a request by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram for withdrawing their hunger strike. In a statement issued in Delhi today,the minister appealed to the GJM to withdraw its hunger strike so that the talks could be held in a more cordial atmosphere. I am saddened to learn that the health of some of those who are on hunger strike has worsened. I hope they shun all agitational things ahead of the tripartite talks, the home minister said in a statement. We have got to know about the appeal and we have convened a meeting tomorrow to take a decision on the request, Morcha spokesman Roshan Giri said. Three groups of Morcha activists have been on hunger strike since December 11 in Darjeeling,Delhi and Kolkata and the condition of some of these activists has become serious. A few have been given medical treatment too. Meanwhile,state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen today said,In earlier meetings,both the Gorkhaland and other issues like development and provisions for more autonomy were discussed. We hope these things will be discussed in this meeting also.
