GJM shutdown evokes strong response in Darjeeling

IANS Darjeeling, July 29, 2013: Most markets were shut and vehicular traffic was minimal on Monday in West Bengal's Darjeeling hills as a 72-hour shutdown in support of a Gorkhaland state began . 

According to police, there were stray incidents of violence, including the torching of three vehicles, in the protest called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). 

At least 50 people have been arrested for trying to forcibly enforce the shutdown. Schools, markets and government and private offices remained shut. 

The shutdown coincides with the Congress-led central government's reported decision to form a separate state of Telengana by splitting up Andhra Pradesh. 

The Gorkhaland movement has left many dead over the past two decades besides affecting the region's economy -- tea, timber and tourism. 

On July 18, 2011, a tripartite agreement was signed between the GJM and the state and central governments for setting up a Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), an autonomous and elected hill council armed with more powers than its predecessor -- the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council formed in the late 1980s. 

The GJM now runs the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration after sweeping its maiden elections held in July 2012.

PTI, DARJEELING (West Bengal): Over ten GJM supporters were arrested when they burnt a motorcycle and a car at Rambi on the National Highway as a three-day bandh demandingGorkhaland began in the hills today.

The motorcycle and the car were burnt byGorkha Janmukti supporters at Rambi on the National Highway 31 where they were picketing since 6 AM when the shutdown began, police said.

The police intervened and arrested 12 GJM supporters, while the remaining fled from the picketing spot on the arterial highway which connects West Bengal with Sikkim.

Darjeeling town wore a deserted look with traffic off the roads and markets and offices closed.

There is a Supreme Court directive that the highway has to be kept free during bandhs and blockades in the hills.

Superintendent of Police Kunal Agarwal said that stringent action would be taken for destruction of government property and that the police would ensure that the NH 31, Sikkim's lifeline, remain opened.

District Magistrate Soumitra Mohan also said that strong steps would be taken in case of breakdown of law and order.

The bandh is to demand Gorkhaland, which is a 107-year-old demand, the GJM said.

A thousand GJM supporters were picketing at Chowkbazar with party flags, while large gatherings of party supporters were also reported from Jorbungalow, Mirik, Sukhiapokhri, 9th Mile and 26th mile.

Roads were also barricaded by the GJM supporters in the Kalimpong and Kurseong subdivisions.

Some foreign tourists still remained in the hills, while around 2000 domestic ones left yesterday, police said.

A few shops opened in the early morning, but closed by 7:30 AM as there was no customer.

The only traffic on the roads were ambulances and vehicles carrying people to weddings or sradh ceremonies.

There was no work in the tea gardens in the hills.