RAWALPINDI, Nov 9: The wheeljam strike, called by the Afghanistan Defence Council (ADC) on Friday, proved a failure, keeping in view that the day was a national holiday and most of the businesses and markets remained closed.

The day passed away peacefully, except for a couple of isolated incidents of violence. The district authorities have arrested 60 protesters for attacking police and damaging public and private property.

Although, the city hospitals did not receive any injury cases till the filing of this report, eye-witnesses said dozens of people were injured in clashes with police.

The shopkeepers that used to keep their businesses open on Fridays, continued with their routine activities. Shops were open in Chuhr, Moti Bazaar, Circular Road, Banni Chowk and various other localities. However, Saddar and Commercial Market were partially open.

Similarly, confectioners, restaurants, floral shops, chemists, motorcycle and car dealers on Murree Road did not take part in the strike.

Traffic continued to ply normally on the city roads, except at a few places, where the protesters pelted stones at the vehicles, forcing the drivers to take alternative routes.

The number of commuters travelling on various city routes remained low, given the fact that it was a public holiday. However, railway and air traffic continued throughout the day without any delay or hindrance. Civil aviation authorities said all flight operations remained on schedules.

A clash between protesters and police took place at Chittian Hatian, where some activists of Islami Jamiat-i-Tulaba pelted stones at a police contingent. The police used tear gas and baton-charge to disperse the protesters. The clashes continued till late in the night, much to the inconvenience of the residents of the area.

The activists of ADC, a conglomeration of 35 religious organizations, held a thinly-attended demonstration against the American attacks after Friday prayers.

According to sources, the protest rallies staged in the city had sparse participation of the citizens, most of whom chose to remain dispassionate during the struggle between the government and religious parties.

However, the people taking part in the rallies waved banners, inscribed with anti-US slogans and burnt effigies of President George W. Bush.

They also termed President Gen Pervez Musharraf as an enemy of the country for helping the international community in attacks on Afghanistan.

“We will treat you like Bush”, shouted the activists of a religious party, who had gathered outside a mosque in Raja Bazaar.

A pamphlet was distributed among people at Friday congregations, alleging that the fight against terrorism was a US ploy to establish its stronghold in the region.

“Helping the US with intelligence, logistics, airspace and land will be against Islam and Muslims”, clerics said at Friday congregations.