Srinagar/Oct,23: The Employees Joint Action Committee EJAC (Q), a conglomerate of several government employees’ unions, here on Monday staged a sit-in at Partap Park to protest against the growing incidents of braid chopping in Kashmir valley.
The protesting employees were holding banners which read “Stop braid-chopping, punish the culprits”, and “No compromise with honour and dignity of women” .
EJAC (Q) president Abdul Qayoom Wani told mediapersons that braid chopping has lead to “fear psychosis” among people which needs to be overcome.
“Our women folk are not even safe in their homes. Students whose exams are underway are going through a mental trauma due to the braid cutting incidents and business establishments have also been hit badly. People who are behind these incidents must be exposed and brought in front of common people,” Wani said.
He said it should become a priority of the society to safeguard “dignity of women”.
Wani said some people justifying the braid chopping incidents in Kashmir by comparing it with incidents happening outside the state is “illogical”.
“But while dealing with braid chopping incidents, people should exercise utmost caution and ensure that no innocent suffers. The real culprits are taking benefit of doubt and not coming in the hands of police. I urge the state government to deal strictly with such people,” Wani said.
Meanwhile, a sit-in was also held at the Gold jeweler hub at Hari Singh High Street under the banner of All Kashmir Gold Dealers and Workers Association.
Addressing the mediapersons, Bashir Ahmad Rather, president of the association said police must nab the “mischievous elements” behind braid chopping so that people in “can live peacefully”.
“Everyone especially women folk are now-a-days mostly staying indoors and that has hit businesses badly. We urge Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti that measures must be taken to ensure there is an end to this menace of braid chopping,” Rather said.
He informed that in the wake of braid-chopping incidents, jewellery business has witnessed a nose-dive by 50-60 per cent which is taking a toll on jewelers who had suffered losses during 2014 floods and last year unrest.
“Despite the ongoing wedding season, a slump is being witnessed in Gold jewelery market which is all due to this scare. Footfalls to the jewellery shops have become almost negligible. If this trend continues then Gold smiths here would be facing huge losses in days to come,” Rather said.
