Demand for Gorkhaland would never be dropped: Roshan Giri

Siliguri, Dec 30 (ANI): Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) General Secretary Roshan Giri has said that his outfit would never drop the issue of separate state of Gorkhaland from their agenda.

Addressing mediapersons on the sidelines of an event here, Giri said that they are adamant over their claim for a new state.

"With respect to the movement of Gorkhaland, our memorandum or agreement states that our demands would be entertained without dropping claim for creation of separate state of Gorkhaland. We have not dropped that demand. Both the issues of Gorkhaland and GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) are in their own respective places," said Giri.

He further said that the new state government of West Bengal led by the Trinamool Congress has so far been cooperative towards their cause.

"The new government is working in cooperation with us and our relations are very good indeed," he added.

A renewed demand for a separate Gorkhaland region, which would include Darjeeling and some contiguous areas of Jalpaiguri District, has created fresh turmoil over the past few months.

The Gorkha population in West Bengal is estimated to be around a million. (ANI)