Protest continue in Kashmir over the death of two women

Srinagar, June 17 (ANI): A group of women activists under the banner of a separatist group took out a protest march in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, over the alleged rape and murder of two young women at Shopian and also in opposition to the presence of armed forces in the Kashmir valley.

Led by Farida Behanjee, Chairperson of Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement (JKMM), the group marched down the streets of Srinagar shouting slogans and demanding immediate arrest of the guilty.

"So far, the Indian government has not punished anyone. All I am saying is that the time has come for India to wind up its show in Kashmir and leave," said Farida Behanjee.

Behanjee further demanded the Indian government to withdraw its troops from the valley.

The protestors gathered at Lal Chowk and proceeded towards the office of United Nations Military Observers at Sonawar in Srinagar.

Police, however, prevented the activists from reaching the office and even arrested some.

Earlier, local residents at Shopian had alleged that two women were abducted, raped and killed by personnel of security forces on May 29.

Consequently, Kashmir was rocked by prolonged violent protests for over eight days at a stretch while the state's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ordered a judicial inquiry into the deaths.

To contain the violence in the valley, the authorities had placed under house arrest most of the separatist leaders including hard line leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. (ANI)