Kulgam: District Magistrate Kulgam Talat Parvez Tuesday constituted a special team to inquire into the Malwan braid chopping incident where people alleged that Army resorted to aerial firing to give safe passage to a culprit involved in the act.
Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Shahnawaz Hussain has been appointed as Inquiry Officer and has been asked to submit his report within a week’s time.
The directions from the District Magistrate came after his visit to Malwan village where people had hit to roads to protest against Army. The locals alleged that on Monday night, three culprits tried to cut the hair of two women at Malwan village. “The watchful villagers chased them away and caught hold one of them. To our shock, Army personnel from nearby camp emerged in the village and resorted to heavy aerial firing. They thrashed people took along the culprit with them. This incident amply made it clear that Army is involved into braid chopping incidents in Kashmir,” the angry protesters informed District Magistrate Kulgam.
Pertinently, the rampant braid chopping incidents in Kulgam district have created fear psychosis among locals. The locals have started night patrolling to avoid such incidents in future.
Meanwhile police issued a press release in this regard and claimed that misunderstanding led to Malwan Incident.
The police handout reads: “Yesterday evening at about 8pm when 9 RR cordoned off few houses in village Malwan , miscreants started spreading rumour that army has rescued hair cutter from one house.”
“Today it has been clarified from house owners that they didn’t catch any hair cutter; neither army rescued anyone from their home. Rumour mongers taking advantage of situation are trying to create fear psychosis amongst people. These anti- social elements will be dealt with sternly under legal provisions.
We appeal reasonable and respected people to come forward and cooperate with police to ensure curbing these elements and creating peaceful society.”
