Tension mounts in Darjeeling following Tamang's murder

Darjeeling (West Bengal), May 22 (ANI): Tension continued in Darjeeling for the second consecutive day on Saturday following Friday's killing of All India Gorkha League President and active Gorkhaland proponent Madan Tamang.

Panic has gripped the entire town, causing people to stay indoors.

Most of the shops and other business units have completely shutdown and public transport is still off the roads.

Security personnel have been deployed on the streets to prevent any kind of violence.

"Generally at this time the shops open up, i.e. around 5:30- 6 o'clock the market opens. But today, it hasn't opened till now. Yesterday's incident has instilled a fear among people. Panic has struck in the area because of the terror activity," said Deepak Prasad, a local.

The police have arrested over 18 people so far in connection with the killing of Tamang.

Madan Tamang was killed allegedly by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) supporters in Darjeeling on Friday.

According to sources, Tamang, who led the anti-GJM front in the Darjeeling Hills, was hit with a kukri (long knife used by Nepalis) at around 9.30 a.m.

Meanwhile, a shutdown has begun in the three Darjeeling Hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong after the incident.

Vehicles in Darjeeling went off the roads, while shops and markets were closed.

Tamang, a vocal opponent of the GJM, recently opposed the GJM's stand on an interim set-up for Darjeeling Hills and demanded Gorkhaland instead. (ANI)