SrinagarProtests broke out again in Batmaloo area of Srinagar after third mysterious braid chopping incident took place in the locality for the third consecutive days on Friday.
The fresh incident was reported from SD Colony here.
Residents claimed that the braid of a woman in the colony was chopped by the unknown person. Some unknown person barged into the house of a woman (name withheld) and chopped off her braid, the locals informed.
This was the third incident in the area from Wednesday, this week.
The locals, following the incident took to streets to protest against the failure of administration in nabbing the culprits.
They said that such frequent incidents have left them shell shocked and helpless. The Police should crack the whip on the braid choppers immediately so that the people could feel a sigh of relief, the protesting inhabitants said.
Clashes erupted in Sopore town in northern Kashmir after the braid of a 40-year-old woman was chopped off in Khush-hal Matu village.
Reports said the woman (name withheld) was in the kitchen of her home when unknown person sprayed something on her, knocking her unconscious, and chopped her braid. She was later taken to SDH Sopore for medical examination.
Soon after the incident, hundreds of people assembled at main chowk of the town and staged a protest demonstration against the incident.
However, police lobbed scores of tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters, which triggered clashes in the area.
The fresh incident of braid chopping was also reported from Ajas area of north Kashmirs Bandipora district today.
The culprits chopped off the braid of a woman in Hajam Mohalla in Ajas today. Her braid was chopped off by the unknown persons inside her residential house, locals said.
Following the incident, the inhabitants including men and women protested against the braid chopping and demanded an immediate end to such activities.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range, Munir Ahmad Khan told reporters that two incidents of alleged braid chopping were reported on Friday. The alleged braid chopping incidents were reported from Sopore and Batamaloo area today, he said.
The Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday termed such incidents as an attempt to create mass hysteria and to undermine the dignity of the women in the state.
She also stated that the steps have been taken in this regard while her government would also find the motives behind these incidents.
Earlier, the state Police asserted that 100 incidents of braid chopping occurred in Kashmir so far while ruing the lack of co-operation from the members of public. They have also announced a reward of Rs six lakhs for credible information about the braid choppers.
Protests Rock Many Areas
Life was badly affected in parts of Srinagar city due to restrictions imposed by authorities to stop possible protests against braid chopping incidents.
The call for protest was given by Joint Resistance Leadership against the unabated assault on Kashmiri women.
All the schools, colleges and universities remained closed while restrictions remained in vogue in parts of old Srinagar city. However, business was as usual in the uptown areas of the city.
Reports said that no Friday congregational prayers were allowed at Jamia Masjid Srinagar while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq remained under house arrest.
A protest against braid chopping incidents was organized by Joint Resistance Leadership at Abiguzar Srinagar. Scores of activists participated in the protest that culminated peacefully. The protesters demanded action against braid choppers and alleged that police have miserably failed to nab the culprits.
A protest was also staged by people at Hyderpora Srinagar. The protest was organized by Syed Ali Geelani led Hurriyat Conference.
Reports said that a complete shutdown was observed in Sopore town as a mark of protest against the incident. All the shops and business establishments remained closed in the town while transport remained off the roads.
Clashes erupted in South Kashmirs Pulwama district after Friday congregational prayers. Reports said that large number of people protested against braid chopping incidents. Youth pelted stones on the government forces who however, exercised restraint.
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