Clashes in Maisuma after ‘braid-chopping’

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 16

The Maisuma locality of the city today witnessed clashes and stone-throwing following an alleged incident of braid-cutting.

As soon as the news that the hair of a woman has been cut spread, residents in the volatile Maisuma locality took to the streets, resorting to stone-throwing. The residents also blocked traffic.

However, the police resorted to tearsmoke shelling to disperse the protesters and restore order in the area.

However, due to the protests, the traffic movement was severely affected on the MA Road and Residency Road, the two arterial roads connecting the Lal Chowk area to other parts of the city.

During the past month, over 100 braid-chopping incidents have been reported from different parts of the Kashmirvalley. Protests also erupted in the Sheeri areaof Baramulla in north Kashmir today after a girl’s braid was cut for the second time in the past three days.

Scientific examination of victims

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Monday, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan said a “scientific examination” of the braid-cutting victims would be conducted. “We will collect blood samples to know what type of sprays have been used on the victims,” Khan told reporters.