Darjeeling, India: June 11, 2008 – International Reporter (IRS) -  Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) has strongly put up their demand of a separate Gorkhaland state for the region and since there were no signs of its being come into reality, they made West Bengal’s hill district of Darjeeling with a complete shutdown today.

The shutdown is complete but peaceful in three sub-divisions, Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong, and some areas of Dooars; all shops, markets, business establishments are closed, no activity, whatsoever.

“The indefinite shutdown is continuing in the hills but there are no reports of any major untoward incident so far,” West Bengal Inspector General of Police (Law and Order)  as per Raj Kanojia, who said that   
 there were some local agitations at Birpara in Dooars.

The GJM called a 24-hour shutdown on Monday to protest an alleged attack on its members by supporters of the state's ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and members of other political outfits at Naxalbari when they were taking out a peaceful rally there on Sunday.

An exodus of tourists also began from the Queen of Hills as the new shutdown took effect from Tuesday morning. Over a thousand tourists were halted near the Teesta Bridge in northern West Bengal while returning from Sikkim.

“We are stuck here with our kids and family. We want to get out of this trouble but there is no adequate transport available. We want to request the state administration to make necessary arrangements for the tourists who are facing harrowing time here due to the strike,” said Supriyo Dey, a tourist in Darjeeling.
Police sources said thousands of GJM supporters staged a demonstration in front of the Birpara police station in Dooars.