Normal life remained largely affected due to shutdown against unending incidents of women’s braid chopping in the Kashmir Valley. Separatists had called to hold demonstrations against a spree of mysterious attacks on women.
Authorities imposed restrictions under Sec 144 CrPc in sensitive parts of Srinagar city under seven police stations to prevent protests called by the joint separatist leadership against such unabated mysterious incidents of braid-chopping.
Shops, business establishments, fuel stations and educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar and also in other major cities and towns of the valley. Public transport was off the roads while scanty private transport plied on several city and district headquarter roads. The inter-district transport also remained affected. Train services were again suspended in Kashmir for security reasons in view of a shutdown call by the separatists. The attendance of employees in various Government and private offices also remained affected.
At least one elderly person from south Kashmir’s Dantar village in Anantnag district died in consequence of these mysterious attacks when he was hit with a brick by vigilant mob outside his house late last Thursday.
For the past around a month, dozens of attacks have been reported across Kashmir involving unknown persons who chop off braids of isolated women. There are reports of seizure of ear rings, neck chains, bracelets and other ornaments from the victim women besides leaving them injured. Several such attacks triggered clashes between people and security forces.
The police have no clue about the miscreants involved in the attacks so far even as a cash reward of Rs 6 lakh has been announced for anyone providing information about the culprits. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has assured that the culprits would be nabbed.
The growing incidents have given rise to public vigilantism but it has added to the confusion and turned the situation grimmer. The vigilantes have turned into lynch mobs attacking suspects and beating them under the gaze of mobile cameras.
Besides anger, the incidents of braid-chopping and vigilantism have created a sense of insecurity and people are hesitating to venture out. In several areas, professional beggars have abandoned to venture into streets or knock at people’s doors for alms.
The separatists have blamed the Indian intelligence agencies for creating fear-psychosis.
last Friday, the separatist leadership comprising Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik had asked people to hold protests after congregational prayers against the Government’s failure to nab the culprits.