GILGIT, Jan 16: People belonging to different walks of life on Sunday took to streets in Chilas town, headquarters of Diamer district, to condemn blowing up of two girls' schools in the town.

Traders observed complete shutter down in the town following afternoon prayers and later a public meeting was held in Golden Peak Chowk, the busiest point of the Chilas city.

Political, social and religious leaders spoke on the occasion terming the attacks on schools as an act of terrorism and conspiracy against the peaceful people of the area.

Those who spoke included member Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Janbaz Khan, opposition leader Bashir Ahmed, Maulana Abdul Muhit, Maulana Abdul Qudoos, Javed Khan, leaders of JUI-F and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat.

The speakers called for judicial inquiry into the matter and demanded of the government to arrest the responsible persons forthwith.

They said that the blasts were a bid to sabotage the ongoing mega projects in the area and destroy the local economy.

They also highlighted the significance of the area and said people had never opposed female education. The speakers warned authorities to not take a lenient view of such actions and said it was time to encircle the anti-social elements.

They said that perpetrators wanted to tarnish the soft image of the area but they would not succeed in their nefarious designs. —Correspondent