Tral shuts against arrest of youths

Srinagar, Aug 10: Life was on Friday crippled due to strike against arrest of youths during raids at different places for the past couple of days in Tral town and adjoining areas in south Kashmir's Pulwama district by Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police.

People, mostly youths, hit the streets in the main town protesting against the arrests of about a dozen youths in fabricated cases.

Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in Tral. Work in government offices and banks was also affected due to strike. Majority educational institutions also remained closed while some other schools witnessed very low attendance.

People alleged that SOG conducted raids, particularly during night, for the past few days in the town and adjoining areas and arrested 11 youths. Demanding their immediate release, the demonstrators threatened to intensify their agitation.

Meanwhile, demonstrators clashed with security forces and pelted stones on some security force vehicles.