Srinagar, Dec 28 (UNI) Life remained paralysed for the fifth day today at Charar-e-Sharief town and adjoining villages due to total shut down over the demand for setting up of a degree college.

Similar protests were also held in other areas in the valley last week after the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet announced the decision to set up 18 new degree colleges across the state.

Thousands of people from different villages, who gathered near the holy shrine of Sheikh Nooruddin Wali again today, are peacefully protesting against the state governments silence over the issue.

The agitators were raising slogans against the government.

Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the road in the town, including in and around the holy shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali.

Reports of total strike were also received from other adjoining villages, including Nougam, Chadoora and Kandajan, Alamdar coloney and Pakherpora.

Demanding setting up of a degree college in the area, the agitators alleged that there is no degree college in the entire area and hundreds of students of about three dozen villages had to travel to Srinagar for studies.

Work in government offices and other commercial establishments was also affected due to the strike.

The valley witnessed similar demands from other areas.

However, at Magam, one person was killed and 25 others were injured after police opened fire to disperse violent demonstrators last week.

UNI