Traders, Civil Society members protest against theft cases at Pouni, Reasi.

Reasi, Dec 10 : Traders and Civil Society members of Pouni market in Reasi district of Jammu division on Friday staged a protest against the theft cases in the area, demanding immediate arrest of the accused involved in the act.

The traders and civil society members assembled in the busy market area of Pouni and blocked the road for traffic.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), they alleged that large scale thefts have taken place in the area especially in the business establishments but the local police have so far failed to solve the cases.

They said that theft incidents are putting traders in an uncomfortable zone as they are concerned about their properties, adding that after more than one dozen such incidents, police have taken cognizance in every case, but no one has been solved yet.

Local police officers including Station House Officer (SHO) concerned tried to pacify the protesters by assuring speedy probe and earliest identification of accused but traders refused to end their protest.

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police headquarters Reasi, Iftikar Qureshi reached the spot and pacified the protesters, assuring them that all the theft cases will be investigated on priority and accused involved will be taken to the task.

After assurances, the protesters later dispersed peacefully—(KNO)