Srinagar/Oct,21: Strict restrictions in seven police station areas of Srinagar ciity imposed by law enforcing authorities to prevent anti-government protests and total shutdown on the call of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) against continuing braid chhopping incidents on Saturday hit the normal life in Kashmir valley..
Shops and other business establishments are shut in Srinagar, the summer capital of the state and other parts of the Valley . Streets wore a deserted look as public transport is off the roads.In parts of old Srinagar ciry the law enforcing authorities have imposed restrictions on the movement of motorists and pedestrians.An official said the restrictions were imposed “as a preventive measure”.Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwai Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik have called for shutdown and civil curfew to protest against the attacks on women. They have blamed the police for its failure to nab the culprits behind the braid-cutting incidents.
There have been over 120 reports of braid chopping in the Kashmir Valley in the last two months, with mobs beating up strangers, tourists and even Army men in plainclothes on suspicion of being braid choppers.
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.
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.
