Indefinite strike continues in Hill areas

Darjeeling/Siliguri, Jun 17 (UNI) The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)-sponsored indefinite bandh to demand a separate Gorkhaland state today continued in the three hill sub-divisions of Kurseong, Kalimpong and Darjeeling, paralysing life throughout the region.

However, tea estates, cinchona gardens, schools and colleges were exempted from the purview of the bandh.

Meanwhile, GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri said a parallel all-party meeting, barring the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the CPI (M), started here this morning.

Siliguri Sub-Divisional Officer Smita Pandey said Section 144 CrPC had been promulgated in several areas, including the Malbazar, Pradhannagar, Mathigara, Khoribari and Naxalbari Police Station areas as well as the Bagdogra and Sukna outposts.

SDPO Malbazar Debarshi Dutta said there had been fresh imposition of Section 144 CrPC from today so that there would be no violence and no law and order problem. A company of CRPF was still patrolling the area.

The GJM activists had tried to start their relay hunger strike in several areas but were prevented by the police from doing so.

However, the situation was peaceful so far although tension prevailed.

MORE UNI XC DPM RSA DB1252