December 11, 2008

Darjeeling issue to be solved through talks: West Bengal CM


SILIGURI:07 December , 2008: Ruling out a separate Gorkhaland state as demanded by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Saturday said he would not permit the division of the state. The issue of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha's (GJM) demand for a separate state out of Darjeeling and some of its adjoining areas will be solved through talks, Bhattachrjee said today.

Addressing the inaugural programme of Darjeeling district conference of All India Kishan Sabha, at Phansidewa near here, he said some elements were trying to destroy the harmony of the region. "People should be united and resist this move," he said. "I do not want divisions within West Bengal and will try my best not allow anyone to divide the state," he said.

Bhattacharjee termed poverty the root of terrorism and called for an united fight against it. "Poverty is the root of terrorism. I am not saying this for the masterminds of terrorism but the young boys who fall into their trap for pecuniary pressure and become their cadre. Hence we have to stress on overall economic development of the state and the country," he said. At the same time, he condemned terrorists as "inhuman". "Even after understanding the root of terrorism, I must say that what the terrorists have done in Mumbai is shameful and condemnable. They are inhuman".

Reminding the audience that 16 years back this day (Dec 6,1992) the Babri Masjid was destroyed by Hindu nationalists in Ayodhya, Bhattacharjee said: "We are reaping what we have sowed." "Instead of strengthening our secularism, some of our politicians have put in their best efforts in weakening it. As a result, we are facing terrorist attacks not only from outside but also inside the country."

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