Fresh braid-chopping incidents were reported in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Sopore and Budgam districts on Tuesday.
A group of residents from Karfali Mohalla in Downtown Srinagar said that during the wee hours, a woman alleged that two unknown persons barged into her house and hit her head with a brick and later cut her braid.
“The woman also alleged that the attackers snatched a gold chain and Rs 7,000 from her,” the residents said.
The victim was taken to a hospital but discharged later. The incident triggered massive protests in the area, with people raising pro-freedom and anti-government slogans.
The protestors also blocked the road while shopkeepers downed their shutters as a mark of protest against the incident, a witness said.
A police official said that they have registered a case and started investigations.
Massive protests erupted at Rek-e-Chowk Batamaloo here against a fresh incident of braid chopping in nearby SD Colony. Locals said that braid of a 20-year-old girl was chopped off in the Colony in third such incident in Batamaloo, a witness said. He said that the people blocked the road and raised slogans against the government and police.
The protesters, which included women, later dispersed peacefully.
Bandipora
Another incident was reported from Sumbal area of Bandipora district where, according to a witness, the braid of a 27-year-old woman was chopped off in Wangipora area.
“The woman was in the washroom when two unknown persons sprayed something on her, knocking her unconscious. Her family members found her unconscious and her hair chopped off,” the witness said. “She was taken to community health center Sumbal in an unconscious state.”
Meanwhile, locals and family members held a protest demonstration in the lawns of CHC and raised anti-government slogans.
3 Incidents In Ganderbal
Three fresh incidents of braid chopping were reported in Ganderbal district since Monday evening.
Locals told Kashmir Post that braid of a teenage girl was chopped off at Kujar area on Sunday evening, triggering protests. They said that the girl was hospitalised, but discharged later.
In another incident, braid of a class 9 student was chopped off at Arhama early Monday morning. Her family members said that the victim was found unconscious with her braid chopped off in her room.
Meanwhile, the third such incident was reported from Waliwar area where the braid of a teenage girl was chopped off mysteriously.
A police official said that they have taken up investigations into these incidents, but sought people’s cooperation to crack the cases.
Braid – Chopping Reaches Sopore
Braid of a 30-year-old woman was found mysteriously chopped off at Seer Jagir village in Sopore area on Tuesday, residents said.
They said that the victim and her mother-in-law were alone at their home when the incident happened.
Station house officer, Tarzoo police station, said: “We have started investigations.”
Budgam
Braid of 16-year old girl was chopped off at Sheikhpora Wathora in Budgam district, locals said.
They said that the victim was attacked by a woman who sprayed some chemical at her before cutting her braid. As the word about the incident spread, people took to the streets and blocked Chadoora-Srinagar road for nearly two hours. They alleged that the police have failed to nab the culprits.
Police Public Meeting
Meanwhile, the police in its efforts to crack the cases of braid chopping held four police public meetings in Ganderbal and Anantnag, a spokesman said.
Speaking on these occasions, the police officers sought help and support of public to solve the “mystery” of braid-chopping.
The officers also advised the people to inform the police in case they find any suspicious movement of any person and refrain from “cacophonic psychosis.”
