J&K: Foreign tourists mistaken for braid choppers heckled by mob, rescued

SRINAGAR: Six foreign tourists were rescued by police after angry mobs chased them near the Dal Lake on Sunday morning, mistaking them for braid choppers. The bizarre incident took place two days after a 70-year-old man was lynched on suspicion of being braid chopper in Anantnag late last week.

"The six tourists were trapped by a mob at Kanikachi Mohalla in Rainawari in the interior of Dal lake on suspicion of being braid choppers, but timely information helped us save them from getting lynched," a police officer said.

The driver of the taxi fled from the spot abandoning the tourists. However, a police team headed by Inspector G P Singh under the supervision of SP North Sajjad Ahmad Shah rushed to the spot and rescued the tourists.

Three of the tourists were Australians, one South Korean, one from Ireland and one from England (four men and two women). They were on their way from Leh to Srinagar when they lost their way in Rainawar at dawn, where locals mistook them for braid choppers, police said.

"On reaching Kanikachi Mohalla, the vehicle was stopped by a group of residents. On spotting foreigners in the vehicle, they gathered hundreds of people, turning into a restive mob," said the officer. However, some locals tried to rescue the tourists and called the police, he added.

"With great effort, the entire group was rescued. The tourists were taken to a hotel and lodged there by police and seen off on their onward journey the next morning," police said.

Cops said those found involved in the attack on foreigners will be dealt with severely. Strict legal action would also be taken against self-styled crusaders against braid-chopping, said police.

Authorities have advised people against getting misled by rumours and warned of legal action against those indulging in rumor-mongering.

Police formed special investigation team (SIT) to probe the braid chopping incidents. But, no headway has been so far. A reward of Rs 6 lakh has been announced for information about culprits involved in the incidents.

On Friday, a 70-year-old man was lynched in Anantnag district by a mob after being mistaken for a braid chopper. Nearly a dozen people were beaten up by miscreants after being accused of being braid choppers.