GLM activists' march foiled, tribal group calls off bandh

The Adivasi Vikas Parishad had called the bandh in protest against the 'padayatras' by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in the area demanding a separate Gorkhaland state.

Terai-Dooars president of the Adivasi Vikas Parishad Jan Berla said the bandh was withdrawn after police blocked the GJM procession at Hatipota, which is inhabited by a large number of Adivasis, during the day.

GJM activists had begun the padayatra from Sankosh to Sipchu, the scene of police firing on its activists which claimed three lives. The police stopped them at Hatipota.

"However, the Parishad would not hesitate to call a bandh again if such rallies by GJM is not stopped in future," Berla said.

The bandh was total in the tea gardens, at Hasimara, Kalchini, Banerhat and Birpara but life in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar was normal, the police said.

Meanwhile, the GJM's indefinite bandh in Darjeeling to press for Gorkhaland entered the 10th day and hit life across the district.

GJM president Bimal Gurung is camping at Kumani, near Sipchu which is the gateway to Dooars since February 11 demanding that he be allowed to take out a padayatra to Sankosh.