GJM bandh in Darjeeling, govt claims 'normal' attendance

The government offices here recorded "normal" attendance although some stray incidents were reported during Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)-sponsored indefinite bandh in Darjeeling hills which began today.

The GJM has called the shutdown in central, state government and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) offices in the hills in support of their demand for Gorkhaland.

State Tourism minister Gautam Deb claimed that attendance in government and GTA offices was "normal" in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik.

"The people have defied GJM's diktat and attended office.

We hope good sense will prevail on the GJM leadership," he said.

"The situation is peaceful here and everything is normal.

Attendance in schools is also normal. We have taken all precautionary measures to check any untoward incident," Darjeeling District Magistrate Joyoshi Dasgupta told

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)