Officials in Indian-controlled Kashmir say four police officers have
been suspended in an investigation into the rape and murder of two
women, whose deaths triggered violent protests in recent weeks.
News reports from the region say the four officers and a forensic
expert have been suspended by a investigative panel for allegedly
destroying evidence and delaying findings. Indian officials ordered the
panel to review the case following widespread protests alleging the
women were raped and killed by police officers, who later covered up
the crime.
The women's bodies were found in a shallow stream in the town of Shopian - located south of Srinagar -
and police initially said it appeared the women accidentally drowned.
Police later opened a case of rape and murder in the incident.
Violent demonstrations in the weeks since then have wounded hundreds of people.
Indian security forces have frequently been accused of human rights violations, including rape and extra-judicial killings.