Life came to a standstill in all three sub-divisions of Darjeeling district today due to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's indefinite bandh called to press for a separate state and other demands.
Meanwhile, a GJM delegation has headed for Delhi to demand fresh rounds of tripartite talks.
The bandh, which was scheduled to begin from 12 noon today, was delayed by an hour to allow last-minute purchase of essentials by people across the hills.
GJM publicity secretary Benoy Tamang said movement of vehicular traffic was relaxed to enable stranded tourists and students to leave the hills.
All shops and business establishments were closed and employees left their offices early, police said.
Tamang said the GJM would continue the bandh till its demands were met as the hill people had a sufficient stock of essentials.
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According to government officials, there are not many tourists in the hills at present as most of them have already left.The authorities of residential schools in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong have decided to keep their hostels open as it is, they feel, difficult for them to send outstation students escorted.
The authorities would, however, keep their schools closed as they in principle support the demand for a separate statehood, the principal of a school said on condition of anonymity. Besides a separate statehood, the GJM is also pressing for immediate transfer of Inspector-General of Police (north Bengal), K L Tamta, additional superintendent of police (headquarters), A Chaturvedi, and SDPO of Kurseong Partho Pal whom it accused of playing into the hands of CPI-M and showing vindictive attitude against its supporters.
GJM general secretary Roshan Giri heading a four-member team today left for Delhi to press the Centre for arranging third round of tripartite talks. Other members of the delegation are Harka Bahadur Chhetri, Rohit Sharma and R P Waiba.