The shutdown will be in force in the three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong, as well as the other regions in the foothills. 

The shutdown has been called days after the Centre's nod to initiate the process for the formation of the Telangana state. No vehicles will be allowed to move during the shutdown, except that of the district magistrate and the superintendent of police, said the members of the party.

GJM added that it would not disturb the traffic heading towards the neighbouring state of Sikkim. 

Earlier on Friday, GJM party workers called for a 96-hour shutdown demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Highly inspired by the success received to the Telangana cause, 21 members each from Darjeeling, Kursiong, Kalimpong and Siliguri had made up their minds to go on an indefinite fast beginning from Friday. 

The GJM wants a separate state carved out of the districts on the northern border of West Bengal [Images]. The proposed new state will include the popular hill stations of West Bengal -- Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kurseong and Kalimpong.