The DGHC was formed in 1988 through an agreement between the central and state governments and the GNLF.

The talks were held between Home Secretary G.K.Pillai, the West Bengal delegation led by Chief Secretary A.K.Chakrabarty and the GJM delegation by Anmole Prasad.

'The GJM assured that a peaceful and conducive atmosphere would be maintained and all the parties agreed to work in a spirit of constructive cooperation to carry the talks forward,' said an official.

As an interim measure and to restore the democratic process, it was decided that elections would be held to the panchayat samitis, the gram panchayats and the municipalities.

It was also decided that an unutilised sum of Rs 700 million that was part of the central assistance would be put to use.

The last tripartite meeting between the three sides took place on December 29 last year where it was decided to take forward the talks after the Lok Sabha polls.

The next tripartite meeting would be held on December 21 this year at Darjeeling.