- 100 braid chopping incidents in Kashmir, say police
- Fresh incidents reported in Srinagar
- Uri; 3 arrested for ‘spreading rumours
Police on Wednesday said that 100 braid chopping incidents have taken place in Kashmir, even as it vowed to “seriously investigate the role of anti-national elements who seem to be getting benefited by the protests triggered by the acts of mysterious hair cutting.”
“There have been 100 braid chopping incidents in Kashmir so far. Not a single victim has approached any police station with her hair sample,” Kashmir range inspector general of police, Muneer Khan told Kashmir Post.
“We could have sent the hair sample to forensic laboratory to find out which spray the braid choppers are using.”
Khan claimed that all the suspects detained so far turned out to be innocent and had no connection with braid-chopping. “In Nowgam area, people even thrashed innocent rag pickers. In Rainawari, even tourists had a narrow escape,” the IGP said.
“We are filing a detailed report in response to the Public Interest Litigation filed in the High Court. We will wait for the court directions and proceed further,” he said.
He said though the incidents of braid chopping have been taking place in Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Doda, Kashmir is a “different cup of tea.”
Police have formed special investigating teams comprising officials from the Social Welfare department and also a lady doctor to analyse the victims. Besides, the police have also announced Rs 6 lakh reward for a person who would provide accurate information about a braid-chopper.
The braid chopping wave in Kashmir has already claimed life of a 70-year-old man from Anantnag district.
Fresh Incidents
Residents of Batamaloo area in Srinagar staged a protest on Wednesday against the alleged inaction of police against braid choppers following a fresh attack in the locality early this morning, a police source said.
He said that the protestors turned violent when they were asked to disperse and started pelting stones.
Police used force to disperse the protestors. A local market remained closed as a mark of protest against the fresh attack.
Another braid chopping incident was reported from Bandi area of Uri Baramulla on Wednesday where hair of an 18-year-old girl was chopped off by unknown persons when she had gone to a washroom outside her home in the early hours.
Char-E-Sharief Observes Shutdown
Charar-e-Sharief town in Budgam district observed a complete shutdown on Wednesday against the mysterious braid chopping incidents.
Reports said that there were some rumors about the presence of braid choppers in Nowhar area last evening following which locals decided to observe complete shutdown.
All the business establishments and educational institutions were shut while transport remained off the roads in the town.
Meanwhile, a married woman who was attacked by unknown persons posing as a beggar in Raithan on October 9 evening was attacked again late last night. “In the second attempt, a major portion of her braid has been chopped off. She is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Srinagar,” said a local.
Meanwhile, mobile internet services were restored on Wednesday evening after three days of blockade.
Another Braid chopping incident was reported at Awoora in Kupwara district on late Wednesday evening.
A local resident told Kashmir Post over phone that unknown persons barged into the house of the victim and chopped her braid.
Separatists postpone October 14 rally
The joint separatist leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik has postponed the proposed rally against braid-chopping at the TRC grounds in Srinagar on October 14. However, they have asked the people to “raise their voice” against this “assault” during “peaceful protests” on Friday.
Schools to remain closed today
Srinagar: The Divisional Administration, Kashmir, on Wednesday ordered the closure of all educational institutions across the Kashmir valley on Thursday. Sources said the decision was taken after the protest call by separatists, who urged the students of colleges and universities to organise peaceful protests against braid-chopping.
Three arrested for spreading rumours
Srinagar: The police on Wednesday arrested three people on the charge of spreading rumours on braid-chopping incidents. Abid Hussain Saudagar, who had spread the rumour about a girl’s death after braid-chopping in the Habbakadal area, was arrested. The police also arrested Tauseef Ahmad Dar and Mir Musadiq in connection with rumour-mongering.
