Darjeeling unrest paralyses normal life, tourism ; GJM-sponsored all-party meet today

Darjeeling unrest hits normal life and tourism/ ABP News image

Darjeeling , WB: In the wake of ongoing protests in Darjeeling, an all-party meet convened by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) will chalk out their "next course of action" as the indefinite shutdown has crippled the normal life in Darjeeling the sixth consecutive day. The meeting, which is likely to be attended by all the political parties of the hills, was scheduled to be held at Gymkhana Club at 11 am on Tuesday. "We will discuss with all the hill parties and chalk out our next course of action," a GJM leader said. The hill parties have agreed that the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state was a "priority". Security forces were patrolling the streets and Internet services remained suspended for the third day on Tuesday. Except medicine shops, all other shops remained closed. On Monday, effigies of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were burnt as thousands of protesters marched on the streets of Darjeeling demanding a separate state. The demand by the GJM for a separate Gorkhaland state to be carved out of the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal state is fast turning into a major political crisis for Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, and has crippled the critical tourist industry during the peak summer season.