Srinagar, Publish Date: Oct 16 2017
Massive clashes erupted in Maisuma area of Srinagar on Monday after a woman’s braid was allegedly chopped off by unknown persons.
As the news of alleged hair-chopping spread, youth took to streets and enforced a shutdown in Maisuma and the adjacent Lal Chowk area.
Forces deployed in the area lobbed teargas shells at the protesters who pelted them with stones.
Traffic movement was severely affected on both the MA road and the Residency Road. Most of the motorists diverted towards Residency road due to clashes, triggering a traffic jam.
Clashes were going on in Maisuma when this report was filed.
Last week, authorities closed all schools across Kashmir valley for two days after separatists asked the students to hold protests against the braid-cutting.
Earlier in the day, Kashmir police chief Muneer Ahmad Khan said scientific examination of the braid-cutting victims would be conducted.
“We will collect samples to know what type of sprays have been used on the victims,” Khan told journalists during a news conference in Srinagar.
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.
