Jalpaiguri/Darjeeling:
The situation in Dooars area of Jalpaiguri, which witnessed police firing that left two persons dead, today remained tense even as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-sponsored indefinite bandh evoked a partial response in the district.
Official sources in Jalpaiguri said the situation in the Dooars area was tense. However, no untoward incident took place in the morning.
The District Magistrate of Jalpaiguri would hold a meeting with GJM leaders at Malbazar in the afternoon to defuse the situation, the sources said.
Adequate police personnel were deployed to prevent any further outbreak of violence in the area, the sources said.
Meanwhile, the condition of 22-year old Neeta Khowash, who was injured in the cross firing between GJM activists and the police at Shipchu inside a reserve forest in Jalpaiguri district yesterday, was "very serious", Kalimpong sadar hospital sources said.
The bandh evoked partial response in Jalpaiguri even as GJM supporters were trying to enforce the shutdown at Jaldhaka, Sukna, Bangrakote, Dhupguri and Kalchini area.
Reports from Darjeeling said that bandh has hit normal life with shops, markets and other establishments remaining closed.
Official sources said a fire station and a telephone exchange office were set ablaze at Bijonbari last evening.
Two persons were killed yesterday at Sipchu when the police opened fire to stop GJM supporters from taking out a march in adjacent Jalpaiguri district defying prohibitory orders, sparking widespread arson and damage to forest bungalows and properties.