Tension in Kupwara after mob thrashes soldier accused of braid-chopping

In restive Kashmir braid chopping incidents are becoming hair triggers with suspects being quickly attacked by mobs.

Tension rose in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara town on Tuesday after a soldier who was beaten up by a mob on suspicion of being involved in a braid-chopping incident.

Protesters run after police fire tear gas shells during a protest against alleged braid chopping incident in Maisuma area of Srinagar on Monday.(HT Photo)

A senior police official in Kupwara confirmed that local boys had started thrashing the soldier, who was rescued by the army, after it was alleged that he was involved in braid chopping.

He said the soldier was not critical. Further details are awaited. The army spokesperson did not immediately respond.

Earlier this month, the Jammu and Kashmir police formed a special investigating team to probe braid-chopping incidents and announced a Rs 6-lakh reward for those providing information for nabbing the perpetrators.

They also recommended the formation of a multi-disciplinary team — including doctors, police officers and administrators — to jointly review such cases in each district.

About 40 cases of braid-chopping have been reported in Kashmir valley. A majority of such incidents were reported from densely populated urban areas and rural zones, and the victims were mostly young girls or middle-aged women.