There is no possibility of creation of a separate Gorkhaland but autonomy, more funds and power can be given to the hill leaders, West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said today.
The hill leaders should forgo their demand for addition of Siliguri, the plains subdivision of Darjeeling district and the adjoining Terai and Doors, to Gorkhaland, he told a public meeting.
An interim arrangement could be made to provide more power to the hills leaders, he said.
Expressing concern at the growing incidents of violence in North Bengal, he said this was only hindering implementation of development programmes.
Bhattacharjee, who is on a three-day visit to north Bengal, will also review the law and order situation.
Earlier, home secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters that it was very difficult to permit Vidyarthi Morcha, student wing of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, to hold a public meeting in Siliguri.
