Siliguri, Nov. 11: Traffic between Darjeeling and Siliguri was affected and offices and educational institutions shut down as the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad went on a strike today to protest the arrest of its supporters.

Since morning, Parishad supporters blocked NH55 at New Chumta and at Dagapur. Educational institutions and offices in Matigara, Naxalbari, Phansidewa and Kharibari remained closed. Movement of vehicles on NH31 and NH31C was also disrupted at Bihar More in Bagdogra and in Naxalbari, which paralysed the traffic between India and Nepal.

In the Dooars, a few tea estates remained open. Blockades were set up at Nimti More, Suhasini Tea Estate More and several other locations on NH31. The strike was called to protest the arrest of its leader Raju Bara and eight supporters for their alleged involvement in a clash with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha members on Monday. “We want police to release them immediately,” said Rajesh Toppo, the assistant secretary of the Dooars and Terai Coordination Committee of the outfit.