Siliguri (WB): With Gorkha Janamukti Morcha opposing, the dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM) in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling failed to disrupt normal life.

The bandh had little impact in the hill station with only malls and big shops downing shutters and fewer vehicles plying on the roads. Offices, banks, shops and markets had a usual day, SDO Smita Pandey said.

The CPRM had called the bandh demanding release of its leader Chhatre Subba who is languishing in Jalpaiguri correctional home since August 3. Subba has been arrested for allegedly masterminding the assassination attempt on GNLF chief Subash Ghising.

The bandh in Siliguri sub-division was called by Shiv Sena and Amra Bangali opposing the Gorkhaland demand.

There was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in Darjeeling district till noon, K L Tamta, Inspector General of Police, North Bengal said.

CPRM spokesman D S Bomjan without naming any party said that some people forced the shops to open.

His party, Bomjan said, did not deploy any supporters to counter the anti-bandh activists in the "greater interest of peace" in the region.
Source : PTI