Srinagar: As the police has so far failed to make any break-through in braid chopping cases, the District Magistrates (DMs) in the Kashmir valley have constituted separate Special Investigation Teams (SIT) to investigate each cases now.
More than 100 braid chopping incidents were reported in the Kashmir valley, evoking massive protests during the past about two months.
However, despite constituting SIT in each district on the directions of Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, police has not made any break-through in the braid chopping cases, reported almost daily in the valley.
Jammu and Kashmir High Court has also directed administration and police to do crime mapping and point the exact areas where these incidents have taken place which can give you lot of answers.
One elderly person died when he was hit in the head after he was suspect braid chopper while about a dozen persons were beaten up by the mob in the valley.
Police claimed that victims and their families besides locals residents are not cooperating with the investigation agency.
The separatists have appealed to people to hold demonstration in the civil lines tomorrow after Friday prayers. However, authorities imposed restrictions under Sectiion 144 CrPC in seven police stations in Srinagar tomorrow.
An official spokesman said Thursday evening that DM Kulgam, Talat Parvez Rohella today chaired a meeting to review the progress, so far, on reported incidents of braid chopping in the district.
He directed for constituting a special composite investigation team comprising officers from revenue and police, besides doctors, counselling psychologist and psychiatrist who will investigate braid cutting incidents and provide assistance to victims.
On the occasion, the DM said that Village Level Committees have already been constituted to maintain vigil and report facts on such incidents.
The members of the special investigation composite team said that during any incident, the crime spots are not preserved which debilitate them from carrying out proper investigations.
In this regard, Mr Talat sought the cooperation of the people in helping the administration in preserving the crime spots so that evidence could be preserved on the basis of which, conclusive investigations are carried out.
The counsellors of the health department sought the cooperation of the victims and their families so that they can be taken out of the post-incident trauma.
Meanwhile, the DM directed the members to ensure the investigation into the matters in a time bound manner with some conclusive evidences.
He appealed the people to lend every sort of support to nab the culprits and help the district administration to prevent spreading of mass hysteria. In case of any assistance or help, people have been urged to contact the district administration.
District administration Anantnag has constituted a Committee to investigate the braid chopping incidents reported in the district. The district administration has sought cooperation of the general public to nab culprits and maintaining peace.
Meanwhile, the district administration thanked Village and Auqaf committees for being proactive in their approach and maintaining vigil.
The administration appealed people not to pay heed to rumors and cooperate with the Committee so that a thorough investigation is carried out into these incidents.
People have been urged to cooperate with district administration.
Meanwhile, according to the spokesman District administration Srinagar, two incidents of braid chopping were reported in Srinagar on 18th of October, one at Mehjoor Nagar at 0700 hrs and another at Sangam Srinagar at 1530 hrs.
Reportedly both the ladies (victims) were attacked by unidentified assailants within the premises of their residential houses. The district administration immediately rushed the teams to provide medical assistance to the victims and to assess the situation in order to find ways and means to tackle this menace.
The Spokesman district administration said that It has come to fore after proper analysis that the braid chopping incidents occurred here over the past few days, are being used as a ploy by the trouble mongers to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the valley.
He said that in many cases the braid chopping incidents are followed by stone pelting and law and order derangements. Also, there have been cases where the thieves and criminals, disguising as braid choppers, take a free run.
“In some cases braid chopping has become a tool of vengeance against mutual animosity. Some cases have been reported where past history of psychiatric affliction has also been found,” he added.
In this scenario, he requested the general public to remain cautious peaceful atmosphere here.
