New Delhi:An uneasy calm and uncertainly prevails across the Darjeeling Hills as the BimalGurung led GorkhaJanmuktiMorcha (GJM) sponsored indefinite strike entered the eighth day on Tuesday. The bandh has also cut-off land contact with neighbouring state of Sikkim.

According to media reports, National Highway -10 from Siliguri to Sikkim has been blocked by Gorkhaland activists. A large number of supporters are protesting near RangpoBridge and one loaded truck has been torched near Kalijhora. The GJM is demanding statehood for Gorkhas in West Bengal's northern districts.

The sources said tripartite talks with all stakeholders concerned, including the GJM, to resolve the crisis have been deferred and a new date for the same are yet to be communicated to the Home Ministry. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had on Monday appealed to protesters not to resort to violence and instead hold dialogue to resolve any issue.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has sent a report on the ongoing violence in Darjeeling to the Home Ministry.According to Ministry officials, the state government's report is under examination. Meanwhile, the Ministry has dispatched a company of 125 women security personnel to help restore peace in the hills. 

The State government had demanded two companies, including 250 personnel of women paramilitary personnel. Earlier, the Home Ministry had put on hold the dispatch of 400 additional paramilitary personnel to Darjeeling for want of a report on the situation from the state government.