Shutdown in Siliguri, Dooars against Darjeeling accord

Life in West Bengal's Siliguri sub-division and Dooars in neighbouring Jalpaiguri was partly hit on day one of a 48-hour shutdown to protest the tri-partite Darjeeling accord signed today.

Life in West Bengal's Siliguri sub-division and Dooars in neighbouring Jalpaiguri was partly hit on day one of a 48-hour shutdown to protest the tri-partite Darjeeling accord signed on Monday.

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The shutdown was called by the Bangle o Banbglabhasha Banchao Committee (Save Bengal and Bengali Language Committee).

In Siliguri town under Darjeeling district, big shops remained closed, private buses did not ply, while vehicles and auto-rickshaws hit the streets in fewer numbers.

In Dooars (foothills of the eastern Himalayas) area of Jalpaiguri, tea gardens remained open, and government offices functioned normally.

"But fewer vehicles ventured out on the roads. Shops were closed. Three persons were arrested for picketing," said a police official.

The Darjeeling tripartite accord was signed in Sukna near here by representatives of the central and state governments, and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and union home minister P.Chidambaram were present on the occasion.