Darjeeling and its adjoining areas saw a complete shutdown following a 24-hour bandh called by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Friday. The Morcha was demanding permanent status for 6,000 employees of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

Normal life was crippled in the Hills as the bandh began on Friday morning. Shops and markets were closed and vehicles kept off the roads in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions, official sources said.

The bandh has also hurt the already dwindling tourist inflow. Tourism has taken a backseat after the GJM-backed stir rocked the Hills, demanding a separate Gorkhaland. Till late Thursday night, GJM supporters continued their agitation in the offices of DGHC in Darjeeling and Siliguri.

Educational institutions and tea gardens, however, were exempted from the strike call. The GJM has been demanding permanent status for over 6,000 employees in Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. According to GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, the state government has done little to accord them permanent status by November 17 as was promised to them.

IG (Law and Order) Surojit Kar Purokayastha said the bandh was peaceful. “A huge contingent of policemen was posted in the area to prevent any untoward incident,” he added.