Curfew Imposed in Srinagar as Protest on Women’s Death Continues
With protest against mysterious death and alleged rape of two women by security forces entering into third consecutive day, the administration clamped a curfew in Srinagar on Wednesday.
The protestors set afire effigies of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has ordered a judicial inquiry into the deaths.
As a result of the strike called by All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, life in the valley disrupted, streets remained deserted, and shops and businesses shut. The strike also closed schools, colleges and many government offices in Kashmir.
Life was at a standstill as many were forced to remain indoors. Security personnel patrolled the roads, as movement was restricted in the city.
“We are facing a lot of problems. We are not allowed to go anywhere. Life has come to a standstill. There are many difficulties,” said Nisar Ahmed, a resident.
Residents alleged that the two women, aged 17 and 22, were abducted, raped and killed by security forces in Shopian, 60 km from Srinagar.
Bodies of Nelofer (22) and her sister-in-law Asiya (17) were recovered from a stream last Saturday after they went missing from their orchards in Shopian town, 52 km form here, the previous evening.
The authorities denied that the women had been drowned in a stream. A police statement said that the post-mortem revealed no marks of violence.
