Friday, May 12 2006 15:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: A strike to protest the alleged inaction of authorities against those involved in a sex racket brought life to a standstill in this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir today (May 12, 2006).

Shops, business establishments and almost all educational institutions remained closed in response to the 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 the Lal Chowk wore a deserted look, and vehicles remained off the roads in interior Srinagar while a few cars were seen in the Civil Lines area.

The HCBA accused the state government of hushing up the sexual exploitation case by not disclosing the names of politicians, police and paramilitary officials and bureaucrafts allegedly involved in it.

Lawyers boycotted courts for the third day today and lodged protests against the judiciary's decision not to entertain the HCBA's writ petition as a PIL as well as the denial by authorities to furnish the names of those involved in the racket as demanded by the association under the Right To Information Act.

Members of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers' Federation too staged a rally to protest the government's failure to expose the culprits involved in the racket.

Reports from other district headquarters of the Kashmir Valley said the strike failed to evoke any response outside Srinagar and its surrounding areas.