GJM calls off Darjeeling bandh

A 96-hour bandh called by GJM today to press for Gorkhaland in the Darjeeling hills has been withdrawn.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told PTI from Delhi that the decision was taken after senior BJP leaders L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley urged that the shutdown be called off for a normal situation to prevail before the tripartite talks schedule in Darjeeling on December 21.

"We have conveyed this to GJM president Bimal Gurung," he said.

However, the indefinite fast since December 11 at three places in the hills and in Kolkata would continue, he said.

Darjeeling District Magistrate Surendra Gupta has confirmed that the GJM has made announcements calling off the bandh from 6:00 pm.