Srinagar
The state government imposed restrictions and suspended mobile Internet services in parts of the Kashmir valley, including the city, in an attempt to thwart protests against a series of mysterious braid-chopping incidents.

The restrictions were imposed in dozens of residential areas in downtown Srinagar to scuttle the protests called by three senior separatist leaders.

The separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yaseen Malik, had called for state-wide protests after midday prayers today against the braid-chopping incidents, which they described as “attacks on women’s dignity”.

To thwart the protests, the authorities imposed restrictions on civilian movement in areas falling under the jurisdiction of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, MR Gunj, Maisuma and Kralkhud police stations.

The congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta were also barred while separatist leaders were put under detention.

The authorities also suspended mobile Internet services in Srinagar, Bandipora, Baramulla and Budgam districts and also put the train service on halt after midday.

The heightened restrictions were imposed in the region as incidents of braid-chopping have continued unabated triggering a series of localised protests across the Kashmir valley.

Even as the police have announced a reward of Rs 6 lakh for providing information or assistance in nabbing “any person found involved” in braid-chopping, the number of incidents has increased with several cases reported from Srinagar also.