Jammu/July,19: A complete shutdown was on Friday observed in Banihal town and adjoining areas over the mysterious disappearance of a sheep and goat trader.
Locals said Ghulam Rasool Wani, 50, a resident of Tethar area of Banihal is missing from 12 July from Tikrri area of Udhampur where he had gone to buy sheep and goats.
All shops and other business establishments are closed in Banihal town and the adjoining areas.
The locals also carried out protest demonstrations in Tethar and Banihal town to demand arrest of culprits involved in the case.
The locals alleged that the trader was last seen with a local Gujjar Ashiq Ali on 12 July (now in police custody) and that he was responsible for his disappearance.
They said the trader was in business for last 20 years and was 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 he was with Ashiq Ali to get possession of already purchased goat from him but after that his mobile went switch off and still there is no clue of the trader.
They said a missing report has been lodged with police post Tikrri, Udhampur on July 17 and police detained one suspect Ashiq Ali named in the application.