With food and other essential commodities not reaching the hills owing to the turmoil in the area, people braved the rains and went out to buy them. As people are unaware when the agitation will restart, they are not taking any chances and stocking up on essential items.

GJM president Bimal Gurung, meanwhile, has called for an all-party meeting in the hills. He said he would invite all the parties except the CPM in the meeting. Gurung also demanded the arrest of those involved in violence in the last two days in Siliguri.

The GJM had relaxed their indefinite bandh till Monday. Though no tourist vehicles were seen heading to the hills, trucks carrying water and other essential items were transported to Darjeeling.

The situation in Siliguri, too, is slowly limping back to normal. Shops and other establishments opened while people flocked to the markets. No incidents of violence were reported in the city. Sub Divisional Officer Smita Pandey said that though life was returning to normal, the administration was still taking precautionary measures to control the situation.