Bandh hits life in Darjeeling hills

Siliguri : Normal life was disrupted in Darjeeling hills and Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district today due to separate bandh calls given by the GJM and a group opposing it.

A 24-hour bandh in Darjeeling hills was called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) while the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad called an indefinite bandh in Dooars. The Parishad was against the GJM including areas from the plains in the proposed Gorkhaland state demanded by the GJM.

All business establishments, schools, colleges and markets were closed and there was no movement of vehicles in those two areas, police said. Dooars and Darjeeling was shut down yesterday also after clashes between GJM and Parishad activists at Malbazar of Jalpaiguri district left 25 people, including several policemen, injured.

Fifteen persons were arrested in this regard. Special Inspector general of Police, Jalpaiguri range, Zulfiquar Hasan told PTI that police has made adequate security arrangements in Dooars. Senior police officials are camping in the area. Hasan said no untoward incident has been reported from this areas today.