GJM bandh paralyses normal life in Darjeeling for second day

Darjeeling (WB), Feb 10 (PTI) The indefinite bandh calledby the GJM to protest police firing at Sipchu in Jalpaiguridistrict that left two persons dead, paralysed normal life forthe second day, even as no untoward incident was reported.

Shops, business establishments, schools and educationalinstitutions were closed, vehicles were off roads andgovernment offices recorded no attendance, officials said.

Darjeeling District Magistrate P M K Gandhi told PTI thatthe situation in the Hills was now under control and no majorincident had been reported since yesterday.

The BSF personnel conducted flag marches at Kalimpongsub-division, the DM said, adding, the Sub-Divisional Officershave been asked to prepare a report of the loss of publicproperty in the GJM violence after the Sipchu police firing.

The Darjeeling Superintendent of Police D P Singh, saidthe situation was fast returning to normal in the Hills.

In Jalpaiguri district too nothing untoward has beenreported since this morning.

The Special IGP (Darjeeling) N Ramesh Babu told PTI thatFIRs had been filed against senior GJM leaders - HarkabhadurChetri, Kalyan Dewan, Binay Tamang (assistant secretary ofGJM), Norden Lama and others for instigating mob violence.

Harkabhadur Chhetri alleged that the filing of FIRsagainst GJM leaders showed the state government''s vendettaagainst GJM leaders.

The Forest Department has lost property worth around Rsseven crore in the GJM violence, they said.