In Photos: Silence Cloaks Darjeeling as Strike Continues

Life has been at a standstill in the hilly town of Darjeeling since 15 June when the strike began.

(Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

Darjeeling has been shut down for an indefinite period since 15 June.

Schools, theatres, zoos, medical shop all stand in silence.

A view of Darjeeling. (Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

The taxi stand is empty. Nobody wants to go to Siliguri. A driver who isn't willing to share his name says, "We are facing maximum loss due to strike, but we are using red cross in cars and carrying locals to Kurseong, Kalimpong at risk."

Empty streets in Darjeeling. (Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

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Speaking of losses, even newspaper sales are at an all-time low. Mohan Chetri, who is a newspaper vendor says, "As the strike starts, tourists have stopped coming, all hotels are closed, demand for newspaper is also low."

A lone man reads a newspaper. (Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

Shops are closed in Chowk Bazar in Darjeeling, it witnessed most violent protest in recent days.  (Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

A single medical shop open in Darjeeling’s Chowk Bazar. (Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

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(Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

Black flag-bearing protesters attacked Biswa Bangla showroom, a West Bengal government sales emporium. They damaged the glowing signboard outside the store.

Biswa Bangla showroom, a West Bengal government sales emporium vandalised by protesters.(Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

Chowk Bazar barely has one medical shop open, after it witnessed the most violent protest in recent days. Several CRPF personnel remain posted there.

But not everybody is complaining. Mr Tamang, a shop owner of Nehru Market, goes to buy some dry food for family and says, "We are facing losses, nothing left at our kitchen, we are starving but the demand for Gorkhaland is genuine. I fully support the movement."

Several CRPF, Counter Insurgency Force posted in Darjeeling. (Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

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Children playing at a sparsely populated mall. (Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

LPG scarcity is rising in the hills. Supply isn’t enough due to the indefinite strike. (Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

(Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)