SrinagarPolice imposed restrictions in most parts of Downtown Srinagar and other major towns and used force to curb sporadic protests against mysterious braid chopping incidents that have sent alarm bells ringing across Kashmir with women folk now afraid of moving out of their houses after dusk or in the early hours.
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Authorities imposed strict restrictions in parts of Srinagar city while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest and historical Jamia Masjid was completely sealed off by government forces disallowing weekly Friday prayers there.
The series of criminal acts of catching women and chopping off their braids have rattled Kashmir Valley for over one month now and so far around 50 incidents have been reported. Curiously police has so far failed to crack a single case or even catch one culprit. What is intriguing is studied silence maintained by the government thus giving rise to wild speculations.
Latest incident was reported on Friday morning from Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar city where a 45 year old woman became the latest victim. The incident sparked protest in the area, while protesters blocked traffic for some time. They were dispersed peacefully by police after assurance that matter will be thoroughly investigated.
A woman at Azad Basti Natipora area of Srinagar city foiled the attempt of a braid cutter when she pushed him away.
Clashes were reported from Natipora and Nowgam Srinagar after the incident. Protesters pelted stones on government forces who in retaliation fired tear-smoke shells.
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Reports said that a youth was wounded after he was hit by pellets at Natipora.
At Donow Kulgam in South Kashmir, the braid of the daughter of Abdul Gani Sofi was chopped off by unknown persons on Friday afternoon.
At Singhpora Pattan in North Kashmirs Baramulla district, fresh braid cutting incident sparked massive protest. The protesters blocked Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and demanded nabbing of the criminals. The honour and dignity of our sisters and mothers are at stake. This un-Islamic act is the brain child of agencies to create chaos and confusion among people, claimed a protester adding that the victim is an orphan.
The locals alleged that police didnt come to their rescue and on the contrary fired tear-smoke shells when they started protesting.
Protests were also held in Anchar area of Soura, eye witnesses said.
Earlier the braid of a woman was chopped off at Bashubagh Kanihama area in Central Kashmirs Budgam district. The victim according to family members was coming out from her washroom located outside their house, when the culprit emerged and chopped her braid.
Clashes also erupted in different parts of South Kashmirs Anantnag district. Reports said that youth took to roads and pelted stones on government forces at Reshi Bazar, Mattan Chowk and Cheeni Chowk. Traders alleged that police resorted to unprovoked shelling and fired some shells inside their shops. As a mark of protest, shopkeepers lowered their shutters and observed shutdown for the day.
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Authorities also suspended the mobile Internet service in Srinagar to prevent rumour mongering over braid chopping incidents.
An official said that the service was suspended in view of call for protests issued by the separatist leadership today.
Internet Down
4G, 3G and 2G services have been suspended across the valley, he said.
For past three weeks, Kashmir witnessed over 50 incidents of braid chopping across the Valley while police so far is still clueless. A helpline has been established and a reward of six lakh rupees has also been announced on information leading to arrest of braid choppers.
However police remains clueless and has failed to even catch a single culprit sofar.
Friday Protests
Friday protest call against braid chopping incidents was given by Joint Resistance Leadership that comprises of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Geelani continued to remain under house detention. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chief Muhammad Yasin Malik was arrested in capital Srinagar and lodged at Police Station Kothi Bagh while Mirwaiz was also placed under house arrest.
Reports said that authorities once again sealed the Jamia Masjid on Friday thus disallowing the faithful to offer congregational prayers inside the historic Masjid.
Reports said that protests were held in different parts of Kashmir Valley after Friday congregational prayers.
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Joint Resistance Leadership held a protest while carrying out a march from Abi Guzar that culminated at Press Enclave. Protesters said that march was scheduled to be carried out from Maisuma locality, however, due to curfew and restrictions, it was taken out from Abi Guzar locality. Large number of people participated in the march. Police sealed the Abi Guzar road and didnt allow protesters to march towards Clock Tower Lal Chowk. The protesters assembled at Press Enclave and raised anti-government and ant India slogans. They demanded action against braid choppers and blamed Indian Agencies for it.
As the protesters tried to march towards main road, police swung into action and detained dozens of protesters including Sheikh Abdul Rashid and Bashir Kashmiri, both from JKLF.
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