No compensation to braid cutting victims: Police

Bilal Bashir Bhat
Srinagar, Oct 17 (Only Kashmir): Amid the unabated incidents of braid chopping in the length and breadth of Kashmir Valley, the Police have clarified that there will be no compensation to hair chopping families or victims and appealed people not to pay heed to the rumors regarding the same.
A top police official while talking with a local News Portal ‘Kashmir News Observer’ said the fake news has been carried by a section of media, that Government of Jammu and Kashmir is compensating those families who have been the victims of braid chopping.

Earlier Jammu and Kashmir Police doubled the reward to Rs six lakh for any information leading to the nabbing of people involved in braid cutting incidents in the state. The reward was Rs three lakh. “The reward for giving information or assistance in nabbing any person found involved in braid cutting doubled to six lakh rupees. “The name and particulars of the person would be kept secret,” a police spokesman said here.
“Many miscreants, anti- social and anti- national elements have jumped into the fray and are using situation to their advantage. Initially security forces were accused for all this but we should believe in truth only. We are here to protect you,” Inspector General of Police, Muneer Ahmad Khan while addressing a press conference said.
“I think more than the victim we need to understand the motive behind these acts. Every act of crime is being committed by the criminal with some motive,” he said.

Pertinently, the first alleged incidents were reported on 14 September in the restive southern districts of the disputed state, and the reports have now spread to its capital, Srinagar.
Besides braid chopping, now incidents of theft of gold jewelry and cash from the households by mysterious criminal elements are being reported from various parts of Kashmir.
The level of fear created by some people who also throw stones at the roof-tops of residential houses and at their entry gates in the dead of the night is resulting in the panic among residents. (OK)