SIALKOT, May 3 Expressing concern over the failure of Daska police in arresting alleged rapists of minor girls, traders, lawyers, journalists and transporters observed a complete strike on Monday.

Almost all shops, bazaars, markets, shopping centres remained closed to express solidarity with the victim girls and their aggrieved families while a number of educational institutions were closed because of route of the rally.

Reports said ulema during their sermons after Fajr prayers condemned the incidents, demanding early arrest of the accused.

Daska Markazi Anjuman Tajraan president Sheikh Abid Husain told newsmen all bazaars and markets were observing a shutdown over the issue.

Daska Bar Association president Malik Jameel Akhtar told newsmen that lawyers also boycotted courts in protest against the nasty incidents.

The bar unanimously passed a condemnation resolution and sent its copies to Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for taking stern action in this regard.

Trade bodies of Daska along with people staged a joint rally and set up camps in various parts of the city. The rally began from Civil Chowk and ended at Fawara Chowk after passing through all main roads and bazaars.

Participants were carrying banners and placards and chanting slogans against police.

Talking to journalists at Daska, Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO) Waqar Ahmad Chohan assured that the accused would be arrested soon as they were using 'scientific methods' to trace the culprits.

As many as seven minor girls and boys have been raped after kidnap in Daska city during the last one and a half months. Of them, two girls expired and as many others were fighting for life at Mayo and Lady Willingdon hospitals in Lahore.