Anantnag: Normal life remained crippled for the fourth successive day on Monday against arrest of several youths during night raids at different places last week by Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police in Tral town and adjoining areas in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

People, mostly youths, hit the streets in some area in Tral, demanding that the arrested youth be released immediately. The protesters alleged that about a dozen youths, mostly family members and relatives of militants, were arrested in ‘fabricated cases’.

Even though there was no strike call given by any separatist organization, shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in Tral on Monday. Work in government offices and banks was also affected due to strike. Majority of the educational institutions also remained closed while some schools witnessed very low attendance.

People alleged that SOG conducted raids, particularly during night, last week in the town and adjoining areas and arrested 11 youths. Demanding their immediate release, the demonstrators threatened to intensify their agitation. (UNI)