Braid chopping fresh headache for Kashmir intel agencies, cops

NEW DELHI: Instances of braid chopping reported in five Indian states were attributed to criminal and mischievous elements of the society. In Kashmir, however, such incidents are proving to be a major hassle for local police and a nightmare for the intelligence agencies.

A motorcycle thief, a labourer, a mentally ill and security personnel carrying out “covert duties” are some of the latest entrants to the list of people bashed in Jammu and Kashmir by locals, who suspected them of chopping braids of women.

Locals accuse intelligence agencies with social media swarming with conspiracy theories.

After cases of vigilante violence were reported, the state government snapped mobile internet services on Friday.

Senior police officers said the entire controversy was a result of mass hysteria, controlling which has become the topmost priority of the police force.

The issue, however, a police officer speaking to HT on condition of anonymity said, has already given impetus to separatists who have announced protests.

While Hurriyat (M) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest on Friday, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik was detained to prevent the duo from leading protests.

“It (braid chopping) is not happening only in Kashmir. It started from Haryana, spread to Delhi, UP, Rajasthan and also reached Jammu where 100 cases were registered.

But only in Kashmir have people deemed it to be the handiwork of agencies. For Hurriyat, it doesn’t matter how it happened, (only) that it is an attack on the modesty and dignity of women by India,” said the police officer quoted above.