Srinagar, May 12
Police used teargas and batons today to disperse stone-pelting demonstrators protesting the government's alleged failure to act against those involved in a sex racket as this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir observed a complete shutdown over the scandal.Immediately after the Friday prayers, groups of youth pelted stones at policemen at Gojwara, Rajourikadal, Nowhatta and the adjoining localities in the Jamia Masjid area of the city, officials said.
Police fired teargas shells and used batons to disperse the protesters. There was no report of any casualty in the clashes, they said. However, several youths were taken into custody by police.
Shops, business establishments and almost all educational institutions remained closed in the city in response to a strike called by the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) and supported by the Dukhataran-e-Millat, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Graduate Minibus Association and Houseboat Owners Association.
Business centres like Lal Chowk wore a deserted look and vehicles remained off the roads in interior Srinagar.
Meanwhile, a 12-member CBI team headed by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) began its probe into the sex racket case, in which top politicians, senior civil, police and security officials besides businessmen are involved.
Official sources said the team, immediately after arriving here yesterday, took into possession all the records and documents related to the sex abuse case from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The team also met senior police officials, including Director-General of Police (DGP) Gopal Sharma and Javid Koul, incharge of the Shaheed Gunj Police Station, where a case has been registered against the pimps.
Police had busted a major sex racket here recently which came to light following a complaint by residents of a downtown locality here about a pornographic CD featuring local girls.
— PTI, UNI
