Srinagar, Dec 16 (IANS) A day after the shutdown in Kashmir Valley, fresh protests erupted in parts of Srinagar Wednesday over the CBI probe report into the death of two young women in Shopian. The Shopian bar association also went on a day’s strike.
Angry youth shouted slogans against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that has ruled out rape and murder of the two young women and said the deaths in May, that had led to huge unrest, were due to drowning.

Protests were held in Batmallo locality of uptown Srinagar and parts of the old city. The protesters also pelted stones on security forces.

In its 66-page probe report submitted to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Monday, the CBI said the two women - Neelofar Jan, 22, and her 17-year-old sister-in-law Asiya Jan - died due to accidental drowning in Rambiara Nallah (drain) near Zawoora Bridge May 29. Also, there was no evidence of suicidal drowning as no note or motive has emerged.

Tension gripped the areas in Srinagar as police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. Authorities later beefed up security in the old city and uptown areas.

The Shopian Bar Association, five of whose members have been charged with “fabrication of evidence” by the CBI, went on a day’s strike in Shopian district.

The lawyers boycotted courts in the district and termed the CBI report as “politically motivated” and said that a concocted story has been put forward to vindicate the statement of the state chief minister that the death occurred due to drowning.

However, life was normal in south Kashmir’s Shopian town that saw massive protests against the CBI report Tuesday. Shops and businesses were open and traffic plied normally.