Thirty year old, Afroza Begum, was in the kitchen of her home at Gur Seer village–around five kilometers from Sopore town of Baramulla district—when some unknown person cut her hair.
“I was in the kitchen when someone held my hair from behind and I lost consciousness. After gaining back consciousness, I found people surround me and my hair had been cut,” Begum said. She was shifted to sub-district hospital Sopore for treatment earlier on Tuesday, and doctors found no affliction of “psychological disturbance”.
“A strand of Begum’s hair was found chopped,” said block medical officer (BMO) Sopore, Dr Sami. The victim remained under observation for an hour, before doctors discharged her. “The victim was alright when she was at hospital. She reported at 1: 30 pm and was discharged at 2: 30 pm. We observed her for an hour and nothing adverse was established,” Dr Sami said adding that “she was mentally stable.” “There was no case of psychological disturbance,’’ he added.
Mehfooza (name changed), 14, was at home in Qamarwari, in Srinagar when she was struck by the braid cutters. According to family Mehfooza was busy preparing to appear in upcoming 8-th standard exams when her hair was cut. “We don’t know how this happened. She was studying inside the house when at around 11 am her hair was chopped and she was left in an unconscious state,” said victim’s father Manzoor Ahmad.
Victim’s parents were not at home when the incident took place, which triggered strong outrage in the area. “We had gone to a relative’s house for the purpose of mourning. Though victim’s grandmother was at home, she is ailing and has no clue about the incident,” said Ahmad.
At Ahmad’s concrete house, people—men and women gathered in large numbers and were inquiring about the incident-while some shopkeepers had downed shutters and the youth also protested after the incident. Visitors at the house wondered as to how a man broke into the house which is protected by a brick wall and is located in the densely populated area.
According to Ahmad, his daughter has no knowledge about her hair getting chopped. “My daughter says she didn’t see anything or any person while her hair was cut,” said Ahmad. “ But, we found her white Hijab (head gear) was sprayed with some red chilly substance,” he added.
Mehfooza was shifted to SMHS hospital where she regained consciousness after she was given treatment. “Two patients, with their braids chopped, were received—one each from Batamaloo and Habakadal. Naturally, they were in shock. They were put under observation and were given treatment. Later they were discharged,” said Medical Superintendent of SHMS hospital, Dr Saleem Tak, earlier.
About the findings after examining the duo, Tak said: “there was no serious complication.” As the braid chopping incidents continue in Valley, authorities are yet to achieve any breakthrough. Nearly 50 cases of braid chopping have been reported in Kashmir so far.
These incidents, which were first reported in UP, Haryana, Punjab and other states, were initially reported in Kulgam district of Kashmir and have spread to other parts of Valley.
Braid Chopped victims recount tales of horror
