Long queues were seen at shops in Darjeeling district Sunday as people rushed to stock up essentials, to brace for a likely long period of turmoil.

Vehicles carrying tourists from various parts of the country and abroad were seen snaking their way to the plains in large numbers to escape shutdown horrors.

Tamang said the shutdown would be 'total' from Tuesday, and all government offices, schools, colleges, shops and commercial establishments would remain shut.

He said only vehicles carrying the district magistrate, superintendent of police and sub-divisional development officer will be allowed to ply. 'No other police vehicle will be allowed to move.'

GJM activists will also put up blockades on all the three National Highways passing through the hills - 31, 31A and 55, he added.

Darjeeling police superintendent Rahul Srivastava said: 'We are keeping a close watch on the developments. We have informed our higher-ups. Elaborate police arrangements have been made.'

The GJM, spearheading the movement in the hills for a separate Gorkhaland, organised indefinite shutdowns twice in the hills last year as also in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls this year, severely hitting tea and tourism - the bread and butter of the region.

A round of tripartite talks held in New Delhi has failed to break the deadlock.