Search and rescue operations in cloudburst affected Assar-Bagger area of Doda district here continued today amid protest for immediate grant of compensation to the affected.

People of the area launched a protest in the morning disrupting the relief and rescue work, official sources said.

“There were some persons who were protesting for the immediate grant of compensation and were creating hurdles in the restoration work. However, the rescue operations resumed after they were assured of due compensation,” District Development Commissioner, Farooq Ahmed Khan said.

At least three people were feared dead and many vehicles and people were stranded in the region in the flash-floods after the cloud burst yesterday in Assar-Bagger area, 135 km from here.

The road link to the area was also disrupted as about one km stretch of the Doda-Batote highway was affected.

The police and paramilitary forces were pressed into the service for rescue operation.

Earlier, the army was also roped in for search and rescue operations.