Strike in Darjeeling hills, demand for Gorkhaland state

Darjeeling, Nov 22 (UNI) The Darjeeling bandh, called by AIGL and Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) today, hit life in the three hill sub divisions, but was by and large peaceful.

The bandh sponsored separately by All India Gorkha League and newly launched Gorkhana Jana Mukti Morcha affected life in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and other towns of the hills.

Both the parties called the bandh to protest the Sixth Schedule bill to be introduced in the current session of Parliament and demanded creation of separate state of Gorkhaland.

The GJMM's also called bandh to frustrate the scheduled CPI(M)'s 3-day 19th Darjeeling District Conference from tomorrow in Darjeeling.

However, the CPI(M) today changed the venue of the conference from Darjeeling to Dagapur in Siliguri.

All shops, business establishments, educational institutions including those having annual examinations remained closed.

Attendence in the government offices was less and vehicles were off the roads.

However, majority of the 86 tea gardens in Darjeeling hills functioned normally.

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