Budgam, Publish Date: Oct 19 2017
Two fresh incidents of braid chopping were reported from central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday morning.
The first one was reported from Gopalpora Alamdar Colony in Chadoora sub-division of the district where locals said an aged woman was attacked at her home and her hair was cut.
“Around 10 am some unknown persons attacked her in her house and chopped off her braid, they said.
The victim – wife of Abdul Rashid had recently returned from Hajj pilgrimage, they added.
In a similar incident, a 21-year-old girl was attacked second time in her house in Beerwah town.
Her braid has been cut in the attack, said the locals.
An eyewitness quoting her family told Greater Kashmir that the unknown attackers strangulated her and chopped off her hair.
She was rushed to Sub District Hospital Beerwah where from she was referred to a hospital in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, people took to streets to protest the mysterious braid chopping incidents in Wathoora. They blocked Chadoora – Srinagar road, hampering the vehicular movement.
A spontaneous shutdown is being observed in the town.
In total, 18 such incidents have been reported from different areas of the district since September 27.
Senior superintendent of Budgam (SSP) Teijinder Sigh told Greater Kashmir that police was investigating the reported incidents of braid chopping from all the angles. “Besides, public meetings are being held to synthesize people regarding these incidents.”
Hair of over 100 women and young girls has been mysteriously chopped off across the Valley during 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. So far, no arrests have been made.
At several places, vigilante mobs have thrashed innocents mistaking them for braid choppers.
The growing incidents have forced people to form local committees in every locality who remain awake throughout the night to ensure no braid cutting incident occurs.
These incidents have already created fear psychosis across Kashmir with fear griping the women folk who find it very difficult to venture out of their homes.
