Siliguri, Feb 7 (IANS) The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), spearheading a movement for a separate state to be carved out of West Bengal, will observe a 48-hour relay hunger strike Tuesday seeking a date for the fifth round of tripartite talks on the Gorkhaland issue.

'The student arm of GJM will observe a 48-hour relay hunger strike Feb 9 in Darjeeling hills to get the possible date for fifth round of tripartite talks at the political level. We all are waiting for that date,' GJM general secretary Ropshan Giri told IANS.

He said the GJM Nari Morcha (women's wing) would also take out candlelight rallies across the hill region Feb 13-14 pressing for the same demand.

GJM activists - headed by its party president Bimal Gurung - have been demanding a separate Gorkhaland state out of the state's northern region, besides opposing special status to the hill governing body Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC).

The central government in 2005 offered the Sixth Schedule status on the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF)-led DGHC for greater autonomy to the governing body.