Darjeeling, July 26: A woman activist of the Gorkha Janmukthi Nari Morcha (Gorkha Women's Front -- GJNM) was shot dead and three women were injured when rival activists of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) allegedly opened fire on them outside GNLF leader Dipak Gurung's house.

The slain was 38-year-old Ramila Sharma.

GJNM activists pelted stones at Gurung's house on Friday when GNLF activists were holding a meeting.

Sharma's sister Rita Gurung confirmed that a bullet hit her sister.

"During the meeting my sister along with other 10-15 women was walking, suddenly she was hit by a bullet," said Gurung.

In retaliation GJNM activists torched Dipak Gurung's house and a few other houses as well. They also torched three vehicles and a motorcycle belonging to GNLF leaders.

Later police arrested Dipak Gurung.

In Darjeeling, the Gorkhas continue to protest, shutting shops and businesses for the second successive day on Wednesday.

The ruling communist government has agreed to talk, but the Gorkhas have refused, saying they were willing to talk to the central government in New Delhi.

"If the talks are held in New Delhi unconditionally, we will join," said Bimal Gurung, protest leader and head of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Gorkha People's Liberation Front).

Ethnic Nepalis or Gorkhas living in the Darjeeling hills have been demanding a separate "Gorkhaland" State carved out of West Bengal.

The Gorkha population in West Bengal is around one million out of 80 million people, although the overwhelming majority is concentrated in Darjeeling. (ANI)