Protests over sex scandal continues in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 8: Women protestors braved water-cannons as demonstrations continued unabated today, demanding disclosure of names and action against those invovled in the sex scandal which has rocked the entire Kashmir valley for the past several days.

''Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of Faith)'' activists and school children took to the streets at historic Lal Chowk here this morning in protest against the racket.

The women protestors had gathered at the Pratap Park on the Maulana Azad Road here to take out a procession in the city.

However, as the procession reached Badshah Chowk, the police stopped it. This led to heated arguments between the Dukhtaran activists and the police and started shouting slogans against the government and several political leaders.

The protestors demanded severe punishment and strict action against those involved, including Sabeena, the alleged kingpin of the sex racket.

They also demanded disclosure of the names of those involved in the scandal.

As the women protestors continued with their slogan shouting, police pressed into service water-cannons to disperse them.

This prompted several men to indulge in stone-pelting as the police personnel resorted to mild baton-charge to control them.

At least a dozen men were wounded in the police action.

The protestors later dispersed.

On Friday, the violent protestors set on fire Sabeena's two houses in downtown city.

Sabeena had been arrested along with four others by the police a few days ago.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a CBI probe into the case after allegations surfaced that several top politicians, senior police and security officials besides businessmen were involved in the scandal.

The Jammu and Kashmir high court has also taken a suo moto cognisance of the sex racket and initiated proceedings in the case.

UNI

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