Indefinite bandh in Darjeeling enters 4th day

With life paralysed in Darjeeling hills by the indefinite bandh called by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) entering fourth day on Thursday, a series of landslides hit Kurseong and Darjeeling Sadar sub-divisions.

GJM Press Secretary Benoy Tamang told PTI that the party is yet to receive West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's letter of invitation for talks in Kolkata.

"The GJM will prefer talks with the Centre only on its demand for Gorkhaland and will have no objection if the state government joins the parleys," said Tamang.

The party, however, will take a decision after receiving the chief minister's letter, he said. Asked about a possibility of the bandh being called off or relaxed, Tamang said everything depends on the Centre's response.

Superintendent of Police in Darjeeling Rahul Srivastav told PTI that the situation in the hills is peaceful. The landslides which took place last night are not severe and a disaster management unit is on standby, he said.