WB: Blast panic in Siliguri, life goes on

Siliguri, Aug 22: Panic struck near Bagdogra airport for sometime following the sound of a blast midnight last night, which was an apparent attempt to creat terror in this commercial town, police said today.

Bagdogra police said the blast was caused by joining some firecrackers to creat panic in the areas, strategically important for having Bangdubi army base and IAF station.

Senior police and army officials today rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation there.

There was no report of any injury and no harm to property.

Meanwhile, lukewarm responses were reproted in some pockets of Siliguri sub-division and neighbouring Jalpaiguri district following a 12-hour bandh today called by Shiv Sena protesting Gorkhaland demand by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

The bandh was called amids meeting of the GJM delegation with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi.

The Sena also demanded cancellation of India-Nepal's 1950 Friendship Treaty and introduction passport system for visiting Indians to Nepal and Nepalese travellers in India.

The Sena also demanded shifting of headquarters from Darjeeling town to Siliguri.

UNI