A complete shutdown is being observed in Banihal town andadjoining areas over the mysterious disappearance of a sheep and goat trader.
Ghulam Rasool Wani, 50, a resident of Tethar area of Banihalis missing from 12 July from Tikrri area of Udhampur where he had gone to buysheep and goats.
All shops and other business establishments are closed inBanihal town and the adjoining areas.
The locals also carried out protest demonstrations in Tetharand Banihal town to demand arrest of culprits involved in the case.
The locals alleged that the trader was last seen with alocal Gujjar Ashiq Ali on 12 July (now in police custody) and that he wasresponsible for his disappearance.
They said the trader was in business for last 20 years andwas carrying about Rs 4 lakh cash with him.
They said in his last phone call on July 12 Ghulam Rasool told his other companions in Katra that hewas with Ashiq Ali to get possession of already purchased goat from him but after that his mobile went switchoff and still there is no clue of the trader.
They said a missing report has been lodged with police postTikrri, Udhampur on July 17 and police detained one suspect Ashiq Ali named inthe application.