General strike against sex racket cripples life in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 12 (UNI) Life in Kashmir valley was crippled today on a general strike called by the Kashmir Bar Association (KBA) demanding that their application about recently exposed sex racket, submitted before the High Court, be admitted as Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

Shops and business establishments in Srinagar and some other major towns of the valley are closed and traffic is also off the roads.

Work in government offices and commercial establishments, including banks, was affected due to strike.

Educational institutions wore a deserted look as the management has declared a holiday today.

The KBA demanded that all those involved in the sex racket be identified and brought to book.

Meanwhile, a 12-member Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) 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 gainst 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. Later police arrested four persons, including Sabeena, the kingpin who was accused of luring and blackmailing minor girls into prostitution.

Official sources said some top politicians, businessmen besides senior security force and police officials were allegedly involved in the flesh trade racket, allegedly run by Sabeena, in which more than 40 girls were believed to have been used for making pornographic films.

UNI BAS AK PC1842