The Banarhat Byabsayee Samiti, supported by other organisations, called a strike from 6 AM today in Banarhat demanding compensation to traders whose shops were torched and the arrest of John Barla, convenor of the Terai-Dooars Coordination Committee and chief of a breakaway faction of the Adivasi Vikash Parishad that had called the indefinite bandh in Terai and Dooars region along with the GJM.
Stating that an FIR was lodged against Barla on Monday for the arson, a spokesman of the Samiti said they also demanded security to people and return of peace.
Local people and businessmen had gheraoed Banarhat police station yesterday demanding Barla's arrest and compensation to those whose shops were set on fire.
Pro-bandh activists had set ablaze nine shops at Banarhat and torched a truck and several other shops around the area on Monday.
Educational institutions, shops and markets were closed while private vehicles were off the road at Banarhat during the bandh called by the Samiti with support from bodies like the Amra Bangali and Bangla Bhasa Bachao Committee.
Meanwhile, the situation in the rest of the region was normal today as the Terai Dooars Coordination Committee has relaxed the indefinite bandh for two days from today. MORE PTI COR NN