Normal life was affected in three Darjeeling sub-divisions on the first day of an indefinite bandh called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) to press its demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

The GJM, which is spearheading the statehood movement, had organised indefinite shutdowns twice in the Hills last year as also in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls this year.

In the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong, shops and offices remained closed today, tourist vehicles stayed off the roads, and hundreds of tourists and students were seen moving down to the plains.

“We are sympathetic to tourists and students from outside. We will allow them to leave by Tuesday,” senior GJM leader Roshan Giri said.

The GJM has also demanded that Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) K L Tamta be transferred out of the area, alleging he was instigating people against the outfit. According to sources, all police stations and other government establishments in the Hills have been asked to take precautions to prevent any untoward incident during the shutdown.

“We have already sent an assessment report on the situation to the state government. We are keeping a close watch on the political activities of the GJM,” Superintendent of Police Rahul Srivastava said.

Meanwhile, a delegation of GJM leaders has left for Delhi to place a fresh demands for a separate state.

Centre suggests tripartite talks on August 24
Even as a bandh crippled life in Darjeeling, the Centre on Monday suggested holding of tripartite meeting with the West Bengal government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on the demand of creating a separate Gorkha state.

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