The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has called for complete shutdown on Monday against the unabated incidents of braid chopping in Kashmir.
In a statement issued here, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik said that there was a “well planned conspiracy” behind the braid chopping of Kashmiri women.
Kashmir valley has been witnessing braid chopping incidents for last one month which has evoked widespread condemnation and spread fear.
On last Friday, protests against the braid chopping were held across Kashmir on the call of the resistance leadership.
Also, scores of girl students of Women’s College MA Road today held a protest demonstration against the continuous braid-chopping incidents taking place across Kashmir.
Hair of several young girls and women in many parts of the Valley has been mysteriously found chopped during the past month.
These girls and women have told their families and police that unknown persons cut their hair after knocking them unconscious with some spray.
The police have formed Special Investigation Teams to probe the incidents. However, so far the police and the authorities have been clueless.
The police have announced a reward of Rs six lakh for credible information leading to arrest of any person behind braid chopping incidents.
Yesterday also, police rued the “lack of support” from public in solving the mystery behind unabated braid-chopping incidents in Kashmir valley while claiming that all accused handed over to them were found innocent.
“In most of the cases, we have not been provided support by the victims or close family members. One of the points which people may be reluctant in going to the police stations. We have decided that a lady police officer would be available for these victims to be examined or statements recorded,” DIG Central Kashmir Ghulam Hassan Bhat had told reporters on Friday.
He said that it was not possible for police come to a particular conclusion in each case without public support.
Bhat had also said that they have examined and interrogated all the accused handed over to them. “… and none of the persons was found involved in braid chopping,” he said.
Meanwhile, The district administration Srinagar has decided to impose restrictions in old city areas of Srinagar as a precautionary measure in the wake of strike call given by separatists against the increasing incidents of braid chopping.
Restrictions under section 144 CrPC would remain in place in seven police station areas which include Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, M R Gunj, Maisuma and Kralkhud. An official said that the restrictions will be imposed “as a precautionary measure” in view of shutdown call by separatist leadership against the braid chopping incidents in Valley.
In old city areas mild to heavy protests and clashes have been a regular feature on Friday’s and on days of strike. Joint separatist leadership led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik have called for shut down on Monday against the braid chopping incidents in Valley. “It is a big challenge for us as dignity of women folk is at stake,” they had said.
According to a local news agency five fresh incidents of braid chopping occurred on Sunday in different parts of Kashmir. In Kulgam, three braid chopping incidents were reported in different areas include one each incident at Dardparen Khuri Batpora, Lassarpora Manzgam and Noorabad. Another incident of braid choppping was reported in Baramulla.
State Police Chief S P Vaid said that there has been no breakthrough so far into the mysterious braid chopping incidents. Earlier Vaid had said that “ these incidents are happening in other states also but due to sensitivity in Kashmir people exploit the situation that these incidents were taking place on behest of forces. There is nothing like this. Why should forces do this.”
