Normalcy in Darjeeling on Independence Day

Normalcy prevailed in Darjeeling on the occasion Independence Day with a four-day relaxation in the indefinite bandh till August 18, even as GJM party's president Bimal Gurung said "our justified fight will go on".
People flocked markets and queued up outside ATMs as traffic was back on the roads in the three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha distributed vegetables, rice and lentils from its central committee office at Singmari in Darjeeling town.
Only 78 families had turned up yesterday at the 11 special food outlets opened in the hills by the West Bengal government, District Magistrate Puneet Yadav said.

The DM hoisted the Tricolour in Darjeeling town, while the GJM also hoisted the national flag at it central committee office at Singhmari.
Meanwhile, the number of arrests rose to 322, included that of local GJM leader Nina Tamang from Kalimpong, the office of the Superintendent of Police said.
GJM President Bimal Gurung said in a Facebook post, "On this great day the nation needs to remember the Gorkha's voice has not been heard! Our plea has been overlooked! We have not been able to change the mind-set of our adversaries.
"But our justified fight will go on despite all obstacles. We will not lose faith in the Constitution and the nation to give us justice," he said.