Two 'braid-choppers', 3 rumor-mongers arrested

SRINAGAR: Controlling the worsening situation in valley, the state Police on Wednesday arrested two alleged 'braid choppers', besides three others on charges of spreading rumours about braid-chopping incidents which included the death of a girl, in various parts of the city.
The agitated mob however set on fire the house of one of the duo arrested by police.
The state police arrested two person for their involvement in braid-chopping on Wednesday.
The accused have been identified as Muhamamd Shafi Sheikh of Monghama and Gulzar Mochi of Sonwar Srinagar.
The arrests have come after a victim was attacked for the second time in two days. The family of victim, a resident of Monghama village, however claimed to have identified the identified the miscreants and lodged a complaint at police station Pulwama.
Sources said that a video had gone viral on social media on October 7 in which the mother of the victim was seen accusing PDP-led government and Police of shielding braid choppers. The victim had alleged that miscreants cut her braid after knocking her unconscious.
Barely two days after the incident, the victim was once again allegedly attacked and again her hair was chopped off.
After lodging of a FIR, the Police arrested both the accused after the family members of the victim identified them at Police station.
However, the agitated people set the house of one of the accused Muhammad Shafi Shiekh on fire in Monghama village, a report confirmed by police.
"We have taken cognizance of the incident. Action will be initiated against the guilty," said SSP Pulwama.
Meanwhile, the police arrested a man who had spread the rumour about the death of a girl after braid-chopping incident in Habbakadal area of the city.
Police spokesperson said, "The miscreant, identified as Abid Hussain Saudagar was traced and arrested from Arampora locality in Nawakadal area." "The police has arrested him (rumour-monger) for having spread the rumour about the death of a girl, spokesperson said, adding, "the rumour had spread like a "wild fire" last evening."
"Most of the people panicked and a sense of insecurity prevailed all over. People got emotional and started pelting stones at security forces establishments and vehicles," he said.
He said the police investigated the rumour and found it as "baseless". "It was planned to generate the potential for civil unrest," the spokesman said.
Yet in another similar case, the police arrested two people in connection with rumour-mongering that led to the beating up of a group of rag-pickers in Lasjan area of the city on October 9.
"During the investigation, two rumour mongers -- Tawseef Ahmad Dar and Mir Musadiq -- have been arrested and further investigation in the case is underway," the spokesman said.