Srinagar, May 8
Women protesters braved water cannons as demonstrations continued unabated today, demanding disclosure of names and action against those involved in the sex scandal that has rocked the Kashmir valley in the past several days.Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of Faith) activists and schoolchildren took to the streets at Lal Chowk this morning in protest against the racket.
The protesters gathered at the Pratap Park on the Maulana Azad road to take out a procession in the city.
However, as the procession reached Badshah Chowk, the police stopped it. This led to heated arguments between Dukhtaran activists and the police.
The protesters demanded strict action against those involved, including Sabeena, the alleged kingpin of the racket.
As the protesters continued with their slogans, the police pressed into service water cannons to disperse them. This prompted several men to indulge in stone pelting as the police resorted to mild baton-charge to control them.
At least a dozen men were wounded in the police action. The protesters later dispersed.
On Friday, the protesters set on fire Sabeena’s two houses in downtown city.
Sabeena was arrested along with four others a few days ago.
The government has ordered a CBI probe into the case after allegations surfaced that several top politicians, senior police and security officials besides businessmen were involved
in the scandal.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has also taken a suo moto cognisance of the racket and initiated proceedings in the case.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, today urged the people to put an end to the ongoing protests as these would bring worldwide disrepute to the state.
He also called upon the people to unitedly wage a war against all social evils in society.
“Almost all social evils have reached Kashmir during the past 16 years of militancy. We are already known in the world for militancy and gun. The militancy has brought along several social evils such as drugs,
alcoholism, gambling and sex-related crimes,” Mr Azad told mediapersons here.
“There is no fun to stage protests on the roads everyday when a CBI probe has already been ordered. Let us close the chapter and not divert the attention from other important matters,” he said.
Demanding a time-bound probe into the racket, the Opposition today asked the government to take tough measures against those involved in the flesh trade.
The scandal should be investigated within the shortest possible time keeping in view the sentiments of the people, National Conference President Omar Abdullah said in a statement here.
— UNI, PTI
