Protests erupt in Kashmir over abduction, rape by Indian Army personnel

Protests erupt in Kashmir over abduction, rape by Indian Army personnel

2011-07-22 21:48:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW DELHI (BNO NEWS) -- Protesters clashed with security forces on Friday in India-administered Kashmir after they went on a rampage over the alleged abduction and rape of a woman by unidentified army personnel.

Indian Express reported that protesters gathered in south Kashmir's Kulgam district after Friday prayers to demand the arrest of those responsible. They pelted stones on police and paramilitary personnel who used batons to disperse the crowd, which set the vehicle of a government official and a private scooter ablaze.

Security personnel also fired several rounds of tear smoke shells to restore order. According to official sources, there was no report of any casualty.

Sources added that the situation in the area continues to be tense. All shops and business establishments remained closed, while reinforcements were deployed to the area.

Meanwhile, the army has initiated an internal probe after Rukaya Bano, a married woman said to be aged around 30, alleged that she was abducted Tuesday and raped by two army men who held her in a hut for two days. The police are also investigating the case, according to Indo-Asian News Service (IANS).

"I want to make it clear that this is an allegation and if there is truth in it, then it is a criminal act which warrants strict action against the guilty," Lt Gen S.A. Hasnain, general officer commanding (GOC) 15th Corps, said at a press conference on Friday.

"We are aware that not only the army, but terrorists also wear combat uniforms. We conducted an operation against terrorists a fortnight ago in the same area and the terrorists are under pressure. Therefore, this was something not unexpected at all. I was expecting it," he added, as quoted by IANS.

Hasnain said the guerrillas also use radio sets as was alleged by the woman. "It is impossible that two army men will remain out of their unit for 48 hours with weapons," he said.

A guerrilla war has been going on between militants and the Indian troops stationed in Muslim-majority Kashmir, which is divided into parts administered by India and Pakistan. Militant groups are usually blamed for attacks, while soldiers have been accused of rights abuses.

The government says more than 45,000 people -including civilians, militants and troops - have died in the region over the past two decades.

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