Fresh braid chopping incidents spark protest in Kulgam
As the fear among the people is running high, two more cases of braid cutting were reported from South and Central Kashmir on Friday, leading to protests and fear-psychosis among people.
More than two dozen braid chopping incidents have occurred from past one month in South, Central and North Kashmir. The Southern districts of Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag are the most as in Kulgam district alone over a dozen such inscrutable incidents have taken place in less than two weeks.
Eyewitnesses told a local news gathering agency CNS, that an elderly woman who was on morning walk became the first victim of the day when two unknown persons riding on a bike stopped her and sprayed some chemical on her face as a result she lost her conscience. The unidentified culprits chopped off her braid and fled from the spot.
The incident occurred near Dharmbugh Kralpora in the outskirts of Srinagar city. The incident created panic in the area while people hit to roads and staged a massive protest, demanding the arrest of these criminals.
Reports from Wanpouh Anantnag in South Kashmir said that people blocked Srinagar-Jammu highway for hours together after a fresh braid cutting incident. Hundreds of people hit the highway and blocked traffic, forcing District Magistrate Anantnag to rush to the spot. The District Magistrate assured protesters of swift action and sought their cooperation.
At Nai Basti Anantang, Insha Amin (18) was hospitalized after an unidentified man entered into her room and chopped off her braid. The girl, who along with her father lives in a rented room was alone at the time of incident. The incident sparked spontaneous shutdown in the area while people accused police of shielding the criminals.
Earlier on Thursday night, people caught hold of a suspect and thrashed him at Shirpora area of Anantang district after they found a scissor in his pocket. People took him as braid chopper, however, police identified him as Gowhar Ahmed of Budgam- a notorious pick-pocket.
Reacting over the increasing incidents of braid chopping, District Magistrate Kulgam Talat Parvez said that SIT has been looking at different aspects and hopefully the mystery will be resolved.
“Some people are blaming agencies while some feel that it is the job of some miscreants. We have shared some inputs with the Inspector General of Police and have activated village level committees. People are alert and from past one day, no such incident has occurred in Kulgam district,” he said.
KV Correspondent
