12-hour shutdown for Gorkhaland peaceful

A 12-hour bandh sponsored by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in the Darjeeling Hills in protest against the State Government’s decision to form a Lepcha Development Council ended peacefully.

The bandh has been called to protest state government's decision to form a Lepcha Development Council without taking the autonomous Gorkhaland Territorial Administration into confidence, GJM sources said.

“This was a peaceful bandh and we wanted to register our protest against the government’s unilateral decision to form Lepcha Development Council. The government is trying to create a division between the Lepchas and Gorkhas and we won’t allow that to happen,” a senior GJM leader said. Shops, establishments, educational institutions and offices remained closed and transport was off the road.