Gorkha Janmukti Morcha called the general strike in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district to pressurize the central government into accepting their demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.[break]
As normal life has remained paralysed in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong with shops and markets downing shutters and offices remaining closed, the strike has also affected bordering market places.
Market places in Ilam who depend on internal and external tourists have been wearing a deserted look. Import and export of clothes, vegetables and daily essentials have come to a standstill.
Due to the strike, traders of Manebhanjyang, Pashupatinagar, Jaubari, Chiruwa, Kaittha and other places have downed shutters. Export of pulse and vegetables has been badly affected, hitting farmers hard.
Sandakpur, Tulming, Megha Jaubari and other tourism destinations are quiet with tourist arrival nose-diving. Hoteliers are equally affected, said Tempa Sherpa, a tourism entrepreneur.
Revenue collection at Pashupatinagar Customs Office has also been badly hit, said Durga Rai, a staff. The night bus service from Pashupatinagar-Kathmandu has been halted.
Business activities in Pashupatinagar, which used to make transaction of millions of ruppes daily, is almost nil, said President of Pashupatinagar Chamber of Commerce Pramod Rai.
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