Srinagar: Amid restrictions in parts of Srinagar, normal life has been affected on Monday by a shutdown called by Joint Resistance Leadership to protest against growing incidents of braid woman, hitherto a mysterious phenomenon likened by the leaders as “humiliation” meted to the fairer gender.
Reports said that all most all shops, private offices and other business establishments are closed throughout the day due to the shutdown and restrictions within the jurisdiction of seven police stations in downtown Srinagar.
According an order by District Magistrate Srinagar, restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC are imposed within the jurisdiction of police stations Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Kralkhud, Maisuma, M R Gunj and Safakadal as a “precautionary measure” to avoid any untoward incident.
Skeletal public and private transport was seen plying on all the major roads and highways across the Valley.
The Join resistance leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik termed braid chopping as “a well thought out conspiracy and a big challenge for us as dignity of women folk is at stake.”
They had appealed people to observe complete shutdown against “humiliation meted to women”.
“Let us convey a message to these miscreants that in no way we will give up our resistance and that we will pursue the right to self-determination movement,” they said. So far, the state government has failed to unravel the mystery behind the braid chopping.
Special investigation teams and round the clock helplines have been also set up in every district to probe the incidents. Police has also announced a reward of Rs 6 lakh to anybody who can give leads on the braid choppers.
While no arrests have been made so far, the police has threatened legal action against those spreading braid-chopping rumours.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also assured stern action against the culprits and public avowed to get to the root of the incident and unmask those behind such incidents.
At some places, locals have caught ‘innocent people’ suspecting them of being the culprits. For example in Delina Baramulla, locals thrashed a boy suspecting him to be a braid chopper. He revealed to police that he was there to meet his girl friend.
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