KNZ NEWS DESK
Srinagar Oct 16 [KNZ]: Clashes erupted on Monday in Hawal area of Srinagar after the students of Islamia College staged a protest against braid-chopping incidents in the Kashmir valley.
An eye witness said students of the college staged massive protests against the “failure” of the government to prevent braid-cutting incidents.
Police lobbed teargas shells to disperse the protesting students who were pelting them with stones.
Because of the clashes, traffic movement on the road was disrupted.
Last week, authorities closed all schools across Kashmir valley for two days after separatists asked the students to hold protests against the braid-cutting.
Earlier in the day, Kashmir police chief Muneer Ahmad Khan said scientific examination of the braid-cutting victims would be conducted.
“We will collect samples to know what type of sprays have been used on the victims,” Khan told journalists during a news conference in Srinagar.
Hair of over 100 women and young girls has been mysteriously chopped off across the Valley during past month.
These girls and women have told their families and police that unknown persons cut their hair after knocking them unconscious with some spray.
The police have formed Special Investigation Teams to probe the incidents. However, so far the police and the authorities have been clueless.
The police have announced a reward of Rs six lakh for credible information leading to arrest of any person behind braid chopping incidents. So far, no arrests have been made.
At several places, vigilante mobs have thrashed innocents mistaking them for braid choppers.
The growing incidents have forced people to form local committees in every locality who remain awake throughout the night to ensure no braid cutting incident occurs.
These incidents have already created fear psychosis across Kashmir with fear griping the women folk who find it very difficult to venture out of their homes.
