Students from Srinagar staged protests in the city against the "illegal detention" of the minor girl who is at the centre of the Handwara molestation controversy, reported PTI. The protestors also demanded action against those responsible for the killing of five people in clashes with security forces, which erupted last week following allegations that the girl was molested by Indian Army officers. The girl was taken into preventive custody following the protests.

The girl had, in a statement recorded before court, denied that she was molested by a soldier, according to the Jammu and Kashmir police. One of the two accused named in the case has been arrested. Local administration on Tuesday also removed three Army bunkers in Handwara, located in the Kupwara district. Locals have demanded removal of all Army posts in the town after protests broke out on April 12.