Hurriyat hardliners protest alleged rights violations by soldiers

The leader of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a general strike here today against alleged rights violations by security forces.

Srinagar, July 6 : The leader of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a general strike here today against alleged rights violations by security forces.

Markets in Srinagar were closed and the streets wore a deserted look.

"The strike is called in protest of what has been done to the girls in Bandipora and Kangan. The strike is not wrong because what soldiers have done can also happen with our relatives, " said Imran, a resident.

Another resident, Mohammad Sultan said: "What happened there is really sad. It shouldn't have happened. The strike is not right, but there was no other option."

The strike was called to protest against two recent incidents at Bandipora and Kangan, where soldiers were caught by villagers for alleged attempts to rape local girls.

The police is probing both the incidents. The Army has also ordered an inquiry.

Last week, scores of villagers paraded two soldiers naked through the streets after they were "caught trying to rape" a 17-year-old girl.

ANI