Protesta erupted at scores of places in the Kashmir Valley on Monday as outrage over the rape of a minor in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district.

Markets were closed in Bandipora, Sopore, Badgam and Baramulla towns but shutdown call given by the Itihadul Muslimeen, a religious organisation, had a partial effect in Srinagar city.

People in large numbers took to the streets across the state capital and other places demanding death penalty for the man accused of raping a three-year-old girl last week.

Students of Kashmir University, Central University and the Islamic University of Science and Technology boycotted classes and held protests.

Members of the High Court Bar Association stayed away from courts to express solidarity with the victim.

Former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, separatist leaders, as well as a number of social, religious and political groups expressed shock over the incident.

Police on Monday detained the principal of a private school who issued a minor certificate for the rape accused, Tahir Ahmad Mir, who has already been arrested. Mir's father has given a statement that his son is 20 years old, said the police.

Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been set up to fast-track the probe.

--IANS

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