Junaid Bhat
Srinagar: Life was hit in parts of Srinagar city due to restrictions imposed by authorities to prevent protests against braid chopping incidents. The call for protest was given by Joint Resistance Leadership against the continuing spree of the incidents of hair cutting in different parts of Kashmir valley.
Following an advisory by the government Thursday this week all the schools, Colleges and Universities remained closed for second consecutive day and restrictions enforced in seven police station areas badly hit the normal life in Srinagar, the summer capital of the state. However, life was not disturbed in uptown areas of the city.
Reports said that no Friday congregational prayers were allowed at Jamia Masjid Srinagar as law enforcing authorities had already placed under house arrest Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
In Batamaloo area after a fresh braid chopping incident, people took to streets and held a massive protest against the incident. Locals said that the braid of the woman was chopped off after she was tied by a rope.
A protest against braid chopping incidents was organized by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) at Abiguzar Srinagar. Scores of activists participated in the protest that culminated peacefully. The protesters demanded action against braid choppers and alleged that police have miserably failed to nab the culprits.
A protest was also staged by people at Hyderpora Srinagar. The protest was organized by Hurriyat Conference (G). Clashes broke out in Sopore town in northern part of Kashmir’s Baramulla district after the braid of a 40-year-old woman was chopped off in Khushel Matu area of the town.
Reports said the woman (name withheld) was in the kitchen of her home when unknown person sprayed something on her, knocking her unconscious, and chopped her braid. She was later taken to SDH Sopore.
Soon after the incident, hundreds of people assembled at main chowk area of the town and staged a protest demonstration against the incident.
However, police lobbed scores of tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters, which triggered clashes in the area.
Reports said that a complete shutdown was observed in Sopore town as a mark of protest against the incident. All the shops and business establishments remained closed in the town while transport remained off the roads.
Clashes erupted in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after Friday congregational prayers. Reports said that large number of people protested against braid chopping incidents. Youth pelted stones on the government forces who however, exercised restraint.
