J&K: Authorities ban sharp-edged weapons in Srinagar amid rise in stabbing incidents

An order issued by District Magistrate Srinagar said that Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar has reported that during past few months there have been multiple incidents of stabbing/attacks using sharp edged weapons in District Srinagar.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The District Administration Srinagar on Friday banned all sharp-edged weapons other than those used for domestic/agricultural/industrial/scientific purposes in in view of the recent stabbing incidents reported across the district. An official order has been issued to this effect by District Magistrate Srinagar Aijaz Asad under section 144 Cr.PC.

The order said that Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar has reported that during past few months there have been multiple incidents of stabbing/attacks using sharp edged weapons in District Srinagar. It is learnt that SSP Srinagar has drawn an outline of stabbing incidents in the pockets of Qamarwari, Bemina, Kralpora, Batmaloo, Nowhatta, Kothibagh, Rambagh areas of District Srinagar, during past three months of the current year.

• In light of recent incidents of stabbing in Srinagar, sharp edged weapons other than those used for domestic/agricultural/industrial/scientific are completely banned. All except these to deposit in nearest Police Station in 72 hours, failing which legal action will follow. pic.twitter.com/jTjNDRLUD1

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 21, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  In light of recent incidents of stabbing in Srinagar, sharp edged weapons other than those used for domestic/agricultural/industrial/scientific are completely banned. All except these to deposit in nearest Police Station in 72 hours, failing which legal action will follow. pic.twitter.com/jTjNDRLUD1

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 21, 2023

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  In light of recent incidents of stabbing in Srinagar, sharp edged weapons other than those used for domestic/agricultural/industrial/scientific are completely banned. All except these to deposit in nearest Police Station in 72 hours, failing which legal action will follow. pic.twitter.com/jTjNDRLUD1

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 21, 2023

The order by the District administration said that the safety and security of the public is of paramount importance and incidents involving the use of sharp-edged weapons in public places pose a significant threat to the lives and safety of the citizens. The District administration said that possession of sharp-edged weapons "whose blade is more than 09 inches long or whose blade is more than 02 inches wide" for any purpose other than domestic, agricultural, scientific, and industrial purposes is a cognizable offence under Arms Act 1959.

“Now, therefore, I, District Magistrate, Srinagar; by virtue of powers vested in me /S 144 Cr.PC do hereby impose ban on sale, purchase and carrying of sharp-edged weapons in public places, in the territorial jurisdiction of District Srinagar with immediate effect,” reads the order. It said that the ban shall be applicable to the business establishments engaged in sale/purchase of such weapons.

"Sharp-edged weapons" shall include any object/instrument that possesses a blade, edge, or point capable of causing injury or harm individuals, including but not limited to knives, swords, daggers, box cutters, and razors. The order further said that public places shall encompass streets, parks, recreational areas, public transport facilities, markets, schools, religious places, government buildings and any other locations accessible to the general public.

The ban shall apply to all individuals except law enforcement agencies, individuals possessing such weapons for legitimate occupational purposes (e.g butchers, carpenters, electricians, chefs etc). Individuals possessing sharp edged weapon(s) have been asked to surrender the same in the nearest police station within next 72 hours after which such weapons shall be seized by District Police Srinagar and appropriate action shall be initiated under the law.

• One accused namely Kaiser Ahmad Bhat(28) S/o Khursheed Ahmad Bhat R/o Nagbal, Ganderbal arrested for stabbing a youth with knife at Eidgah area. Accused has history of stone pelting. Weapon of offence has also been recovered. FIR no 99/2023 u/s 323, 341, 307 IPC in Safakadal PS. pic.twitter.com/InKZgJ1usf

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 19, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  One accused namely Kaiser Ahmad Bhat(28) S/o Khursheed Ahmad Bhat R/o Nagbal, Ganderbal arrested for stabbing a youth with knife at Eidgah area. Accused has history of stone pelting. Weapon of offence has also been recovered. FIR no 99/2023 u/s 323, 341, 307 IPC in Safakadal PS. pic.twitter.com/InKZgJ1usf

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 19, 2023

  ">

  One accused namely Kaiser Ahmad Bhat(28) S/o Khursheed Ahmad Bhat R/o Nagbal, Ganderbal arrested for stabbing a youth with knife at Eidgah area. Accused has history of stone pelting. Weapon of offence has also been recovered. FIR no 99/2023 u/s 323, 341, 307 IPC in Safakadal PS. pic.twitter.com/InKZgJ1usf

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 19, 2023

“Any violation of this order shall be dealt with firmly, and appropriate legal action will be taken as per section 188 of Indian Penal code,1860,” the order said. Senior Superintendent of police, Srinagar has been asked to implement the order in letter and spirit with immediate effect. Pertinently, Srinagar District Police on July 19 arrested a youth Kaiser Ahmad Bhat(28) son of Khursheed Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Nagbal, Ganderbal for allegedly stabbing a youth with knife at Eidgah area of Srinagar.

• One boy Haseeb Bhat of Sonwar was stabbed with a knife by two 17 year old juveniles (name withheld) one from Sonwar, other from Rajbagh. FIR No 22/2023 U/s 341,323,307,34 of IPC at Kothibagh PS. Accused arrested & weapon of offence recovered. Victim has arm injury & is stable. pic.twitter.com/lqv9KjnuDX

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 5, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  One boy Haseeb Bhat of Sonwar was stabbed with a knife by two 17 year old juveniles (name withheld) one from Sonwar, other from Rajbagh. FIR No 22/2023 U/s 341,323,307,34 of IPC at Kothibagh PS. Accused arrested & weapon of offence recovered. Victim has arm injury & is stable. pic.twitter.com/lqv9KjnuDX

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 5, 2023

  ">

  One boy Haseeb Bhat of Sonwar was stabbed with a knife by two 17 year old juveniles (name withheld) one from Sonwar, other from Rajbagh. FIR No 22/2023 U/s 341,323,307,34 of IPC at Kothibagh PS. Accused arrested & weapon of offence recovered. Victim has arm injury & is stable. pic.twitter.com/lqv9KjnuDX

  — Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) July 5, 2023

Earlier, on July 5, police arrested two juveniles for allegedly stabbing a boy from Sonwar area of Srinagar.