Shopian is observing a complete shutdown on the 9th anniversary of two young women Asiya and Neelofar, who were allegedly raped and murdered in 2009.
On the call of the Joint Resistance Leadership, all the business establishments and schools remained closed and traffic was off the roads.
On May 29, 2009, Asiya, (17) and Neelofar (22) had gone to their small orchard across the ankle deep Ranbi Ara stream in south Kashmir town however did not return home.
The next morning, the dead bodies of the sisters-in-law were recovered from the banks of the stream. The family and locals alleged the duo had been raped and murdered by the government forces. The incident triggered widespread protests across Kashmir valley while as the Shopian town observed shutdown for straight 47 days.
The case was handed over to the CBI which ruled out rape and murder and concluded that they died due to drowning.
However, the people and the family members rejected the CBI findings. Shopian Coordination Committee which was formed to seek justice for Asiya and Neelofar termed the report as a ‘cover up’.
