Srinagar: Police on Monday rescued four rag-pickers who were mistaken as braid-choppers in Nowgam area of Srinagar.
“Today in the afternoon, some miscreants floated a rumour that four rag pickers from outside J&K, who were roaming nearby, were braid choppers at village Gandbal Soiteng in the jurisdiction of Police Station Nowgam,” said an official. He said the rag pickers were soon surrounded by a mob of around 2000 persons who started abusing and heckling them.
“Upon receipt of this information, a police party from Police Station Nowgam rushed to the spot. As soon as police party reached the spot, miscreants started pelting stones upon them instead of helping them ascertain facts,” he said.
The police party handled the situation very carefully and used maximum restraint, he said. “The four outsiders were rescued and their medical examination was also conducted. Enquiry till now has established that the rag pickers were indeed what they were claiming to be, and no angle of braid chopping has been established,” said the official.
“An FIR has been registered against miscreants under relevant sections for rioting, rumor mongering, assault, use of criminal force, etc. Citizens are requested to cooperate with authorities in maintaining peace and tranquility and not to fall prey to rumor mongering.”
