Innocents beaten up in 72 incidents, DGP assures action

Braid-Chopping in Valley

JAMMU: The vigilantism over alleged braid-chopping in Kashmir valley has resulted in 72 cases of people beating up innocents on the mere suspicion of them being braid-choppers, some of the victims beaten mercilessly and attempted to kill by immolating and drowning, while one elderly man was murdered.
This was revealed by Director General of State Police Dr S P Vaid, who also assured that cases would be registered against all those who took law into their own hands.
"In 72 cases (of braid chopping), people took law into their own hands and beat up the innocent (in Kashmir Valley)", Vaid said on Monday.
Asserting that FIRs would be lodged in all the 72 cases, he said, "The police will deal with miscreants sternly."
The DGP said police would not book any innocent person and in cases where an innocent person have been handed over to the police by the public on the suspicion of being a braid- chopper, police authorities should tell the facts to the media clearly.
He also said if needed, those accused of beating up the innocent would be slapped with Public Safety Act (PSA).
Pertinent to mention here that with the vigilantism over braid chopping rumors taking violent turn in the valley, the police on Saturday arrested 45 persons from different parts of Kashmir, including those involved in beating innocents, besides those resorting to rumor mongering.
Over 130 incidents of braid chopping have been reported in the 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 DGP said, "It (braid-chopping incidents) took place in many parts of northern India and then it was reported in Jammu. Such cases were also reported in south, central and north Kashmir".
"But the difference is that, in Kashmir, there are elements who do not want peace and normalcy," Vaid said, adding such elements were trying to exploit people's sentiments to trigger unrest.
Vaid also said all districts now have Special Investigation Teams (SITs) and officials from Social Welfare and Health department have been involved in it.
The health department should depute teams to meet braid- chopping victims and probe the matter, he said.