Villages near Delhi border, having seen multiple incidents of braid-chopping, say they have ruled out the work of ghosts
Even though the mystery surrounding braid chopping is increasing in the national capital and neighbouring states, villagers have ruled out the existence of ghosts and spirits. They, however, have not ruled out the possibility of a group of notorious occultists (tantrisk) behind this act to gain publicity.
Several cases of braid chopping have been reported in the last few days, giving birth to an environment of fear and superstition, which has grappled remote villages at the border — Delhi-Haryana, Delhi-UP and Gurgaon.
55-year-old Muneesh was on her way from the plot where she had gone to tie her cow when she experienced a severe headache. Assuming she was tired from the day’s work, Devi returned home and lay down on the sofa.
As her headache became more severe, she shouted at the top of her voice thrice and fell unconscious. When she awoke, her braid had been chopped off. According to her, no outsider entered her house as all doors were bolted.
In another instance, 53-year-old Sri Devi had a similar experience, though it happened to her twice in two consecutive days.
Speaking to DNA, Muneesh said she did not get any pandit or occultist to her house because even after the incident, nothing unusual had been witnessed there.
“I have lived in this house for the past thirty years but haven’t ever experienced such a thing. If it was a ghost that had caught me, I would not be here talking to you,” she said.
Another resident, Nibha Tiwari said, “We are all educated people. I roam the village with my hair open. These are myths”.
However, in most cases, victims or their family members have denied seeing anyone to catch.
“The first time my mom’s braid was cut, we were in different rooms. But the second time, I was lying on a cot beside her and she was sleeping when I heard her scream. I tried to pacify her but ultimately had to use some Gangajal to calm her down,” said Krishan, Sri Devi’s younger son.
A relative of Muneesh said he does not believe in ghosts and spirits, but that there might be some occultist involved. While saying this, he also leveled allegations on police for not taking the matter seriously.
“Media and police say the incidents have been taking place in remote villages where the education rate is low. Let me tell you that our village has produced an IAS officer, several government employees and learned men. We do not believe ghosts have done this.
Police torture the victims into accepting they have chopped their own hair,” Muneesh’s relative said.
Krishan, Sri Devi’s son also alleged that police have been taking the matter lightly which is the reason no forensic experts have come to probe the case.
While speaking to the neighbour of a victim, 45-year-old Omvati in Tilangpur Kotla Village, we discovered that the victim was admitted in the hospital two to three years back and had undergone angiography. She also had complains of dizziness but for the last few months was healthy and able to do housework
Meanwhile, in the village, women are covering their heads. Neem leaves, handprints made of turmeric and vermilion have been stamped on the walls to refrain any supernatural power from entering. Kids fear going to school, and no puja has been conducted after the incident, except a havan.
Black monkey link
The spate of incidents have raised questions similar to those as had been during the time of ‘Black Monkey’ hysteria which erupted in 2001.
A close scrutiny of the incidents reveals that most of them take place during monsoon season, like the Black Monkey incident
Experts believe these are cases mass hysteria witnessed only in the women due to the excessive domestic pressure
Past visits
03 Aug 2017 At around 7 am, a woman from Mayapuri, said her three daughters aged 16, 13 and 12 claimed their hair had been cut
02 Aug 2017 In outer Delhi’s Najafgarh, a woman sprang up from bed on feeling pain in her head, and found hair lying nearby
02 Aug 2017 A 52-year-old woman woke up around midnight on feeling someone had been pulling her hair. She awoke to find her hair had been chopped
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