New Delhi: The indefinite shutdown in Darjeeling hills due to the indefinite strike called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for a separate Gorkhaland has hit hard its famed tea industry. The premium quality ‘second flush’ tea leaves are going waste due to the strike causing heavy losses to the garden owners and putting at stake the livelihood of more than two lakh tea-garden workers. Darjeeling is home to 87 tea gardens and the ongoing shutdown has pushed them to the brink. The tea garden owners feel  that they will be losing 45 per cent of their yearly revenue.

Normal life continued to be crippled, Internet services remained suspended as the GJM-sponsored indefinite shutdown continued on Wednesday. The police and security forces patrolled the streets of the hills and police pickets were placed at the entry and exit routes of Darjeeling. 

Except pharmacies, all other shops, hotels and restaurants remained closed. Amid the indefinite bandh in Darjeeling hills which entered its 11th day on Thursday, residents and labourers were seen leaving the area.