Now women’s commission too raises questions on ‘braid chopping’
Srinagar: As the incidents of ‘braid chopping’ continue unabated, the State Women’s Commission on Wednesday questioned the investigation by Police and Special Investigation Teams (SIT) regarding the growing incidents of mysterious braid chopping.
The commission’s chairperson, Nayeem Mahjoor said that the SIT has failed to share details of the investigation done over the braid chopping incidents.
“We had asked the SITs to share the details of investigation on daily basis but they so far failed to share the details of even a single case,” she said.
“Up till now we don’t even know what SIT has investigated so far and how they are working and where are they working on,” the women’s chairperson rued.
“I believe some among the officials appointed in the SITs are not taking our directions seriously,” she said, adding that she could have come up with the facts within one week in case she had proper sources.
“I can’t say that the SIT is not investigating the matter but we have to work on war footing basis to bring respite to the people especially to the womenfolk,” she added.
Mehjoor said that the SITs constituted, must share the details about the investigation over braid chopping.
Asked about the Police claims that the victims are not cooperating, Mehjoor said, “I believed that some among the victims have cooperated with the Police as I talked to some of the victims as well as the Police officials and their statements were quite similar, which seems that the victims at few places have cooperated. Police should investigate those cases first so that they may get a proper lead in this regard,” she added.
She further said that Police must come up with the facts in case they are claiming that these incidents are mass hysteria.
“First of all I am not going to buy any such statements, terming the braid chopping as mass hysteria as the number of the incidents continues to swell with each passing day. Police should come up with the proper evidences to prove their statements that the growing incidents of braid chopping are mass hysteria. If there is no criminal element involved in it then it should be made public with the proper evidences,” she said.
“The only thing Police shared with me is the number of incidents, which are mounting with each passing day,” she said, adding that Police should build confidence among the public so that the facts would be come to the fore”.
“I held a serious of meeting and talked to Police chief and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also in this regard. The CM assured me of proper investigation while the Police chief rued lack of cooperation,” she said, adding that “I am also trying to find out the facts but what can I do without any resource.”
Asking the Director Health Service Kashmir to formulate a team to investigate the chemicals being used prior to the braid chopping incidents, SWC chairperson said, “Why the health officials have failed to formulate a board to find out the facts regarding the chemicals also needs to be looked into,”
Stating that the victims are in a trauma, Mehjoor said, “I appeal to the womenfolk to not to get harassed or intimidated. We know the braid is our dignity but don’t let the situation to harass you.”
KV Correspondent
