Shops and other commercial establishments in Darjeeling hills were shut on Sunday protesting the arrest warrant issued by a city court against senior leaders of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) including party president Bimal Gurung.
The GJM leadership said they had not called for any strike but people, anticipating trouble, kept the establishments closed. Local police and personnel of the Central Reserve Force were seen patrolling the roads.
Tourists left hotels in the hills anticipating trouble. The Central Bureau of Investigation had on May 29 filed a charge sheet against the GJM leaders in connection with the murder of Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) president Madan Tamang.
Samrat Sanyal, the working president of Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association, said that some tourists came down to the plains.
“There was a crisis of vehicles in the hills during the day but it was sorted out. We would urge everyone to ensure peace in the hills,” Mr Sanyal said.
Commenting on the development in the hills, ABGL leader Pratap Khati said the GJM leadership is threatening witnesses in Madan Tamang murder case. He urged the State government to maintain vigil on the GJM leadership.
Posters came up in support of the GJM, threatening that there will be unrest if its leaders were arrested.
The Court has directed the CBI to implement the arrest warrant by June 26.
