Darjeeling (West Bengal), Dec 21- The tripartite meeting between Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) representatives, senior central and state government officials began here Monday to discuss the demand of a separate Gorkhaland state.

The meeting, which began at 11 a. m., was attended by a central team led by union Home Secretary G. K. Pillai and a six-member state government team headed by Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty.

The GJM, led by the party's general secretary Roshan Giri, was represented by 16 members at the talks being held at the private Mayfair resort in the heart of this hill town.

Lieutenant General Vijay Madan, the central government-appointed interlocutor, was also present during the meeting.

Security has been stepped up across Darjeeling district for the meeting, police sources said.

The GJM has been spearheading a movement for a Gorkhaland state carved out of northern West Bengal, besides opposing special status for the hill's governing body, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC).

The Amra Bangali, Bangla Bhasha O Bhasha Banchao Committee, a local outfit protesting the GJM's demand for a separate state, also started a relay hunger strike in Siliguri plains from Sunday saying that they oppose the "unconstitutional" dialogue with some "aliens" from Nepal. (IANS)