While the Hills remained peaceful on Wednesday, group clashes were reported from Malbazar and Odlabari areas in the Dooars. Several tourists also had a narrow escape in Odlabari when their vehicle was accosted by a gang of people. While the tourists scampered to a nearby wooded area, their vehicle was set on fire by the attackers.

In Malbazar, there was tension around 3.30 pm, when Bengalis resisted attempts by Nepali GJM supporters to shut down the area. A petrol pump was ransacked and around six people were injured. At nearby Oldabari again, several GJM vehicles were set on fire by anti-bandh sympathisers. GJM president Bimal Gurung, who had called the indefinite bandh on Monday after party supporters were assaulted by the police and CPM cadres in Siliguri, said tourists were "guests" and his party's agitation would follow the non-violent path towards its goal of statehood.

Gurung told The Indian Express they were not targetting tourists, one of the economic mainstays of the Hills apart from tea and education.

"Those who are still stranded in Darjeeling, Dooars, Kalimpong and other areas are being treated as guests. We will help them get 50 per cent discounts in hotels. We shall loan them money if they have spent the holiday budget. We shall also arrange for vehicles for those who want to leave the Hills," Gurung said.

Meanwhile, the state government — having briefed the Union government about the situation — requisitioned six companies of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Siliguri today. According to police sources, a decision regarding the CRPF's deployment in and around Darjeeling was awaited.

The GJM promptly faxed memorandums to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil asking them to stop deploying paramilitary forces, as this would heighten tension in the area. "This is our final agitation for a separate statehood. So far, our supporters have engaged in peaceful agitations," said Gurung. He said the deployment of the CRPF was a "useless exercise".

Darjeeling and adjacent areas remained shut for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, but no significant clashes were reported. Shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed, as did most private and government offices.