A general strike paralysed Indian-held Muslim majority Kashmir valley on Saturday in a second day of protest against the alleged rape of a woman by two soldiers in the revolt-hit region.
The strike shut most shops, schools and offices in Srinagar and other major towns of the scenic Muslim-majority area and came after protesters on Friday torched a government vehicle and clashed with police. The 25-year-old married woman from the southern district of Kulgam alleged she was abducted and raped by two armed men wearing Indian army uniforms on Tuesday.
Kashmiri separatists who called the one-day strike demanded an independent probe by human rights groups or the United Nations. “It (the alleged rape) has once again exposed the real face of forces and substantiated that they are using rape as weapon of war here,” said hardline separatist Syed Ali Geelani.
The Indian army said Friday it was taking the allegations seriously. “If there is any truth to the allegations, then it is a criminal act and strict action must be taken,” Kashmir valley army chief SA Hasnain told reporters in Srinagar.
But Hasnain also noted that “terrorists also wear military uniforms” in Kashmir, adding he did not rule out the possibility that rebels disguised as soldiers could have staged the attack to stir public anger against the army.
