The alleged derogatory comment by a Delhi-based FM radio channel, a day after the Kolkata police constable was crowned the Indian Idol, led to mass protests in the hills since Wednesday.

All Gorkha Students' Union (AGSU) president, Roshan Giri, said members of the Prashant Fan Club, supported by leaders of all political parties, educational institution and NGOs have called for a 24-hour bandh at Kalimpong and Sukna in Darjeeling sub-division on Thursday.

“The comment has hurt the sentiment of the Gorkhas,” he said.

Darjeeling district magistrate Rajesh Pandey told PTI over phone on Thursday the protesters had submitted memoranda to the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Das Munshi and West Bengal Chief Minister Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee through him on Wednesday.

Stating that the bandh was total and peaceful in both theplaces, Panday said that a procession was taken out in Kurseong on Thursday and street corner meetings were organised in Darjeeling town.

The protesters demanded that the FM broadcaster should be arrested and brought to Darjeeling hills for a trial within three days, failing which the Gorkhas would take appropriate measures.