At least three persons were injured here today in clashes between the police and groups of youth protesting the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian as the strike in the south Kashmir towship on the issue entered the 15th day today.

Clashes took place at Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Malaratta and Nowhatta in the city when groups of youth took to streets and tried to stage rallies late afternoon, official sources said.

Shouting slogans, the youth were stopped by police and paramilitary forces which asked them to disperse, but they turned violent and started stone pelting, sources said.

Police fired tear gas shells and charged with batons, leading to pitched battles between the two sides in which three persons were injured, they said.

Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to restore law and order, sources said.

Barring these clashes, the situation remained by and large peaceful in the city with large number of shoppers thronging the Sunday market which reopened after two weeks after being shut in the wake of protests.

In Shopian, 52 km from here, the protest against the death of the two women entered the 15th day today with all shops and business establishments closed and transport off the roads.

The strike was extended for a week on Friday by the recently constituted 'Shopian Coordination Committee', which is spearheading the agitation.

There was no fresh protest in the town where the situation continues to be tense but under control, the sources said.

The bodies of 17-year-old Asiya and her 22-year-old sister-in-law Neelofar were recovered in the town on May 30, sparking off violent protests across the valley which left one person dead and scores injured.

The government has ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference today announced week-long protests, including by the business community tomorrow.

It said a protest would be held against the arrest of separatist leaders, including its chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on June 18.

It also called for a strike on Saturday against the proposed visit of the Vice President.