Protests continue in Shopian

Srinagar, June 10: Normal life remained paralysed in Shopian district of south Kashmir for the 11th day today in protest against the alleged rape and murder of two women of the town, but there were no incidents of violence reported.

All shops and business establishments, banks, government offices, educational institutions remained closed and all modes of transport remained off the road in Shopian, 52 kms from here, official sources said here.

A spontaneous strike coupled with violent protests erupted in the town on May 30, soon after the bodies of a teenaged girl and her pregnant sister-in-law were recovered, hours after they went missing from their orchard.

With locals suspecting the hand of security personnel in the alleged rape and murder of the two women, the entire valley was rocked by violent protests till yesterday, when hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference called off the eight-day strike paving way for resumption of normal life.

However, the residents of Shopian continued with the strike and protests today.

Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the town to maintain law and order in view of a tense situation.

–PTI–