Indefinite Gorkha shutdown withdrawn for two days in Darjeeling

The Gorkha Joint Action Committee (GJAC) has announced a withdrawal of its indefinite shutdown in West Bengal's Darjeeling Hills District for the next two days.

According to television channel reports, the GJAC is expected to review its future course of action.

They quoted GJAC sources, as saying that the shutdown has been withdrawn for 48 hours to enable people to buy essential provisions and allow boarders to return to schools.

Meanwhile, banks, post offices, central and state government offices reopened today.

The withdrawal of shutdown allowed the entry of about 65 trucks into Darjeeling and Kalimpong towns carrying foodstuff and supplies such as rice, lentil, meat and fish from the Siliguri market.

Light vehicles plied from Darjeeling to Siliguri in the plains.

Schools are slated to reopen on September 13.

Before the withdrawal decision, the shutdown had been in force from July 29, to revive the demand for a separate Gorkhaland in the wake of the Centre's decision to allow the creation of a separate state of Telangana from united Andhra Pradesh.