“Cutting of Women’s plaits and putting them to disrespect is the latest unfortunate situation, the people of Kashmir are facing. This mysterious perplexing and sudden development has generated wide spread panic and has disturbed the social and economic activities in the valley. Fear psychosis prevails in all the habitations and the already fragile peace is at the receiving end. The residents of the affected localities catch hold of any stranger including tourists and try to lynch them. One such person has already lost life and several are under treatment in various hospitals. Movement of women, especially of girls has been restricted and their attendance in educational institutions has been affected. In my constituency of Kulgam alone, nearly twenty such incidents have been reported so far. It has been reported that some unknown persons catch hold of lonely women, even in the interior of their houses, sprinkle some anesthetic substances on their faces, cut off their braids and escape. The victim is rendered unconscious and the braid is left behind. The government claims that it has filed 35 FIRs and set up a special investigation team to probe, identify the culprits and punish them.
Rewards have also been announced but big question is the result is zero. Why has the state government miserably failed to investigate and demystify the plaguing menace that has disturbed the social order? The theories of mass hysteria, psychic disorders of women are not wholly convincing. The police excuse that it has failed because victims are not willing to cooperate is a lame one.An efficient police force is expected to resolve even the totally blind cases, motivate the victims (who suffer from humiliation and fear) to cooperate with it. The investigation teams could involve psychotherapists and other experts in this regard. If the govt. which ows a thorough explanation to the people, fails to clear the cobwebs of such a case, it forefeits the moral right to govern.The above impressions were expressed by senior CPI(M) leader MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami in Srinagar on Saturday.He urged the Chief Minister to take the matter seriously and get the “riddle” resolved as it is the least expected from a reasonably moderate governance. Tarigami also appealed the people, not to believe in unfounded rumors and thereby give space to anti social elements and criminals who could further complicate and worsen the situation. (CNS)