Shops and other commercial establishments in Darjeeling hills remained shut on Sunday, a day after a city court issued arrest warrants against senior leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), including party president Bimal Gurung.
The GJM leadership said it had not called any strike. However, anticipating trouble, people kept their commercial establishments closed. Local police and the personnel of the Central Reserve Force were seen patrolling the roads.
On May 29, the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a charge sheet against the GJM leadership in connection with murder of Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) president Madan Tamang.
Samrat Sanyal, the working president of Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association admitted that some tourists have come down to the plains.
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“There was a crisis of vehicles in the hills during the day but it was sorted out later. We would urge everyone to ensure that peace continues in the hills,” Mr Sanyal said.
ABGL leader Pratap Khati said the GJM leadership was threatening the witnesses in Madan Tamang murder case. Mr. Khati expressed fears that the GJM leaders may flee the country.
Meanwhile, in the hills there were posters in support of GJM leadership threatening that there were will be unrest if the GJM leadership is arrested.
The court has directed the CBI to ensure that the arrest warrant is implemented by June 26.