Huge haul of swords sends cops in a tizzy, probe on
BAHRAICH: Recovery of a large number of swords in various parts of the district and on the Indo-Nepal border during Durga Puja, Dussehra and Moharram has sent the district administration and the police in a tizzy .
Sensing foul play, the district and border police have intensified vehicle checking across the district and on the Indo-Nepal border.
The district and border police had recovered 278 swords in different parts of the district in the past two days, 93 being recovered from a tourist bus in Rupaideeha. Police arrested four people and registered a case against them under 4/25 Arms Act and Section 188 of the IPC. Similarly, the Jarwal police recovered 185 swords from two buses in Ghagraghat area on Lucknow-Bahraich road and arrested five people .
Those arrested revealed that they brought all the swords from Ajmer in Rajasthan and were carrying them to be used during the traditional procession of Moharram.
Talking to HT on phone from Lucknow, Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad, a well-known religious scholar said swords were displayed during Moharram procession in a symbolic way to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain. He said it was a tradition across the state as well as in the country. But he said police should investigate the motive of people behind carrying a large cache of swords.
Syed Shafat Ali, executive member of ‘Muslim Siyasi Bedari Forum’ said swords were openly sold in Rajasthan and the police should take action against the practice.
Talking to HT, deputy commandant of SSB 7th battalion SK Pandey said such a large recovery was never made on the border area. He said patrolling had been intensified .
SP Bahraich Jugul Kishore said it was a matter of concern. Action had been taken under Arms Act as possession of weapons was prohibited. However, most of the arrested people seemed poor and unaware of the law. He said the IG of ATS and the IB had been informed about the matter.