There have been over 100 reported incidents of braid chopping in Jammu and Kashmir (File Photo)
Four people injured in firing when a mob clashed with security forces in Pahalgam area of south Kashmir this morning. The police said the people were protesting against an alleged incident of braid chopping.
The security forces opened fire when the mob attacked an army vehicle with stones.
The locals alleged that they had caught a braid chopper, but the troops had whisked him away. This led to the protests.
Yesterday, a soldier was beaten up in the border town of Kupwara after locals insisted that he was a braid chopper. The man was finally rescued by the police.
Kashmir is witnessing mass frenzy over at least 100 alleged incidents of braid chopping. Six of the alleged incidents of braid chopping have been reported in the last 24 hours. Protests have taken place in various parts of the Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar. Despite the police announcement of a Rs 6 lakh reward, no breakthough has been possible yet.
Over the last few weeks, a group of foreign tourists, an 18-year-old out to meet his girlfriend and two labourers were among the people targeted on similar suspicions.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had called the reports of braid chopping an attempt to create "mass hysteria". Six men have been arrested in Srinagar for spreading rumours and instigating the people to target the security forces.
The police say the unrest is interfering with anti-terror operations in the state.