Srinagar, April 17 -- The protesters, mainly women, blocked the main road as a mark of protest against the authorities for failing to complete a footbridge; work for which, they claimed, began some 13 years ago.

The protesters threatened to step up the demonstration in case the administration did not immediately fulfill their demand. Notably, Samarbugh is only a kilometer away from Gandbal, which saw a boat capsize with 15 persons including school kids onboard.

"The innocent children, men and women lost their lives in a tragic incident at Gandbal-Batwara a day earlier, only because the government was reluctant to complete a footbridge in the locality. We have come together for the same reason as we don't want a similar tragedy to occur ...