Srinagar: With the mysterious braid chopping incidents having created panic in the Valley and police having set up a special investigating team and circulating helpline numbers, no breakthrough has been achieved yet.
The incidents were reported in north Indian states including Punjab, Haryana, UP and then spread to Jammu and Kashmir. As per officials, 194 incidents have been reported in Jammu region and 45 in the valley so far.
More than 3000 cases have been reported in UP and other states. Due to panic and few incidents people have taken to streets at several places.
As per officials, the government has taken a serious note of the incidents. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti last week directed the police to investigate the incidents, prompting police to form a SIT) to probe the matter. Police also announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for credible information about person/s involved into such incidents.
Sources said that the chief minister will chair meeting this evening with top police and administrative officials.
“Public is requested to call on the helpline numbers in case of any suspicious movement. The person who will give credible information and assist in nabbing any anti-social element found in such incidents will be rewarded Rupees 3 lakh by IG Kashmir. The particulars of that person will be kept secret,” police said yesterday.
While such incidents in Jammu region have not been reported in the last two day, Kashmir is witnessing such incidents and also the panic situation has been aggravated by the rumours on social media.
Dr. S.D Singh Jamwal, IGP Jammu Zone, told KNS that no fresh incident of braid chopping has taken place in the region in the last two days.
However, no person has been arrested yet in Jammu by the police, even as officials say that panic has abated.
Police’s top brass has directed all the SSPs to utilize all the resources and men under their command and intensify the joint patrolling with the people of their respective jurisdictions to nab the culprits.
Even as suspicion was raised about non-locals carrying out such incidents, but police said that no such involvement has been found, neither has anyone been arrested yet. Officials said that the incidents are being given hype.
Director General of Police, Dr S P Vaid said that the police is taking steps to investigate the incidents.
“The incidents have taken place in north India but here attempts are being made to disrupt the atmosphere. We have picked up a few suspects for questioning,” Vaid told KNS.
Appealing people to maintain calm, the DGP said that police is taking steps to investigate the incidents. (KNS)
