Commuters, plying from Ramnagar to Bhatrojkhan, Ranikhet, Almora, Maulekhal, Manila Deghat, Karanprayag and Pauri had to face a tough time yesterday as locals in Bhakrakot blocked the national highway in protest against the rising incidents of girls going missing in the area.
They accused the administration of negligence and said proper efforts should be made to trace the missing girls. The protest, which started at 10 am, lasted for over four hours.
The villagers said some anti-social elements had been taking the girls along on the pretext of marriage. They said they were worried about the girls as their whereabouts were unknown.
However, the villagers called off their protest after Bhikiyasen Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) NS Nabiyal reached the spot and assured the villagers of doing the needful.