7-day bandh in Darjeeling from tomorrow

Darjeeling, Jan 17 (PTI) A seven-day shutdown called by theGorkha Janmukti Morcha, in support of its Gorkhaland statehooddemand, begins tomorrow in the Darjeeling hills, with partychief Bimal Gurung indicating that an invitation from theCentre for talks is in the offing.

Gurung said, "In the next few days good news will come fromDelhi."

He said at Kalimpong yesterday that the next few days woulddetermine whether the bandh calls had put pressure on theCentre and the West Bengal government.

The GJM had earlier observed a four-day bandh from January12 on the same demand.

Tea gardens, schools and colleges have been exempted fromthe purview of the bandh starting tomorrow.

Official sources said around 100 CRPF personnel havearrived here and have been stationed at Teesta Bazar inKalimpong sub-division.

If the demand remains unresolved another shutdown would becalled from January 29 to February 12, followed by anindefinite fast by Gurung and other leaders from February 16,the GJM threatened.