Shopian women didn’t drown,were raped,murdered: doctors

Confirming that death was caused due to head injuries,the doctors ruled out drowning as the cause of death — as was suggested by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a press conference on June 1.

“The doctors said that prima facie evidence revealed that the cause of death was not drowning or any deadly wound caused by a stone while drowning,” said Mukhtar Ahmad,Secretary to Justice Jan.

The report of the J&K Forensic Science Laboratory,Srinagar — a copy of which is with The Indian Express — revealed that both exhibits — specimens of vaginal smear — contained human sperms.

Justice Jan,however,said he had no knowledge of the FSL report dated June 6. “ I don’t have any knowledge of what the FSL report says,” he said.

The FSL report,signed by the Chief Medical Officer,Pulwama,said the specimens were sent to them in a sealed envelope on June 1 and remained with them till the examination was conducted.

Asiya and Neelofar were found dead a day after they went missing on May 29. Their deaths sparked off protests across the Valley.

The medical findings have confirmed suspicions of the family of the two women. “We have been saying the same thing from Day One that it was rape and murder. But the government has been changing statements every second day,” said Manzoor Ahmad,Asiya’s brother and Neelofar’s brother-in-law. “The family is very hurt over reports in sections of the media maligning the women. They questioned their character and integrity,” said Nighat,Neelofar’s elder sister.

Shopian,rocked by protests,remained closed for the ninth consecutive day.