Braidchopping: All rhyme, no reason
BAREILLY: As the mysterious braid-chopping incidents continue to cover more districts of Uttar Pradesh, HT hit the ‘ghost-barber’ trail only to find mass hysteria and scare spreading tentacles in Braj and Rohilkhand regions.
The account of most of the victims was found incoherent and raised more questions than it actually answered. None of the victims could narrate the sequence of events twice correctly.
However, the striking similarities in the description given by the victims throughout the region hints that all of them knew well in advance, through newspapers or TV, that a ‘ghost-barber’ is on the prowl.
Therefore, an attempt on their part to grab attention cannot be ruled out.
While narrating their experiences, the victims avoided eye contact and most of them asked their family members to talk on their behalf.
There was not a single eyewitness in any of the cases. The fact that the women were all alone when the incidents took place raises doubts over their claims.
Senior police officials who have questioned the victims suspect that the hair was chopped either by the women themselves or by someone else from their family.
“It seems unlikely that some mysterious power or person is behind it. Prima facie it appears to be an act of mischief,” said circle officer, Bisauli, Nirmal Bisht, who examined the cases of two women -- Sonwati and Tabassum.
Dr Hema Khanna, a Bareilly-based psychologist, said some people were trying to draw sadistic pleasure by propagating the trend.
“It is scientifically impossible to have one’s hair chopped off the way these victims are narrating. We need to rationally examine these cases to find out the real culprit behind it,” she said.
THE ACCOUNT OF MOST OF THE VICTIMS WAS FOUND INCOHERENT AND RAISED MORE QUESTIONS THAN IT ACTUALLY ANSWERED
The Bhadohi district administration has issued an advisory urging the people not to pay heed to the rumours of braid-chopping. Superintendent of police, Bhadohi, Sachindra Patel said some people were trying to spread rumour to disturb peace and people should not believe in it. “Police are keeping a watch on social media. Stern action will be taken if anyone is found spreading rumours,” he said.