Another Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader arrested, Darjeeling stir on

The West Bengal government has arrested yet another Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader as an indefinite shutdown in the Darjeeling hills entered its ninth day on Sunday.

Kalimpong GJM core committee member Shekhar Sharma was arrested Saturday night in connection with cases registered against him, Kalimpong Additional Superintendent of Police Songmit Lepcha said.

Police have already arrested GJM Darjeeling town committee president Narayan Pradhan and Gorkha Territorial Administration council member Mahendra Pradhan.

Anit Thapa, a close aide of GJM chief Bimal Gurung, is also behind bars.

Meanwhile, the campaign to carve out a Gorkhaland state continued with markets, educational institutions and offices remaining closed. Supporters took out processions.

GJM is campaigning for a separate Gorkhaland, to be carved out of northern West Bengal.

While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given a 72-hour ultimatum to GJM to withdraw the shutdown or "face strong action", the latter has retaliated with threats of a public curfew if the administration attempted to use force to crush the movement.

Some 200 GJM supporters and activists have been arrested since the stir started in the hills following the decision to crate Telangana.