The West Bengal government has invited the agitating Nepali-speaking people residing in Darjeeling for talks, 70 days after the protests intensified in the hill town. The various groups including Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) have been spearheading the protest in Darjeeling demanding a separate Gorkhaland state.

The government has decided to hold talks with the agitating party in Kolkata on August 29.

The Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee, however, has not yet decided whether to take part in the talks or not. The GJM leaders said that it would be meaningless to take part in the meeting called by the Government.

Chief Minister Mamata Benarjee, however, has appealed to the Rastriya Mukti Morcha (RMM), one of the agitating parties, for the talks.

The GJM spokesperson Niraj Jimba said that all the parties including his party should take part in the meeting.

“Talks without Gorkha Janamukti Morcha would not be fruitful,” he said.

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha general secretary Binaya Tamang said that the party would not take part in the negotiation as the talks in Kolkata would not bring peace in Darjeeling.

Darjeeling has remained shut with no access to internet. At least nine people have already lost their lives and 12 persons have been critically injured during the agitation. Infrastructure worth millions of rupees has been damaged.