Darjeeling: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha began a four-day shutdown in
Darjeeling on Monday morning as part of an agitation for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The shutdown is in force in the three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong, as well as the other regions in the foothills. The shutdown has been called days after the Centre's nod to initiate the process for the formation of the Telangana
state. No vehicles will be allowed to move during the shutdown, except that of
the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, said the members of
the Morcha. The Morcha added that it would not disturb the traffic heading towards
the neighbouring state of Sikkim. Earlier on Friday (December 11), the Gorkha
Janmukti Morcha (GJM) party workers called for a 96-hour shutdown demanding a
separate State of Gorkhaland. Highly inspired by the success received to the Telangana
cause, 21 members each from Darjeeling, Kursiong, Kalimpong and Siliguri had made
up their minds to go on an indefinite fast beginning from Friday. The GJM wants
a separate state carved out of the districts on the northern border of West Bengal.
The proposed new state will include the popular hill stations of West Bengal -Darjeeling,
Siliguri, Kurseong and Kalimpong.
