Shopian deaths: Judicial probe ordered

Faced with public outburst, Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday ordered a high-level judicial probe into the alleged rape and murder of two young women in south Kashmir's Shopian town last Saturday.

State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told a news conference immediately after his arrival from New Delhi that retired high court judge, Justice Muzaffar Jan, will head the enquiry which will be completed within a month.

Omar said, "My government will not hide facts, nor will it shield guilty persons or tolerate abuse of power. If I have to choose between credibility and power, I will sacrifice power since people's trust is paramount for me."

The government also shifted Shopian District Magistrate Mohammad Ramzan Thakur for 'failing to discharge his duties'.