Mominabad, a neighborhood in the sprawling Batamaloo area of Kashmir, in May witnessed a brutal and shocking incident that has left the community in deep shock.
Ajaz Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Mominabad, was brutally murdered, stabbed multiple times, and tragically succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
The true horror of the incident emerged when the police arrested a 16-year-old boy within less than 24 hours and revealed the motive behind the attack: “anger and revenge.”
The authorities disclosed that the teenage assailant had developed an “interest” in the victim’s teenage daughter and had arguments with Ajaz as he objected to the advances.
On the evening of May 30, as Ajaz went shopping, his daughter returned from tuition to find her father lying unconscious in a pool of blood not far from their home. She rushed home to call her grandmother after the distressing discovery.
A team of police officers, relatives, and neighbors rushed Ajaz to SKIMS Medical College Bemina, but it was too late.
Doctors confirmed that he had suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and neck. Ajaz, the sole breadwinner of his family, worked various odd jobs to make ends meet. His family members recounted that he had gone to visit his ailing sister before the incident occurred.
The family also claimed that Ajaz’s daughter was taken into custody by the police shortly after her father’s demise.
She was kept at the police station for two days, with the family expressing concern over her mental well-being. While she was eventually released with no apparent involvement in the case, she was summoned again, leaving the family perplexed and worried about the impact on her mental health.
Despite the family’s claims, Rakesh Balwal, the City Police Chief, refuted the allegations of the daughter’s arrest, stating that she was the prime witness in the case and had assisted in identifying the perpetrator.
According to Superintendent of Police (SP) South Srinagar, Gaurav Sikarwar, the boy had been preparing for the crime for a considerable period.
This tragic incident in May is not an isolated case. Knife-related crimes have been on the rise in Kashmir, particularly among young individuals. In May alone, seven such incidents were reported, In the month of October more than 6 such incidents have been reported contributing to more than ten dozens of knife attacks in 2023.
The growing rate of knife crimes has become a matter of concern, with factors such as strained relationships, uncontrolled anger, and a lack of patience cited as possible causes.
Surge in Stabbings across Kashmir
One such incident occurred in Anantnag, where three separate stabbing incidents, two on the same day, were reported, resulting in injuries to at least three individuals.
In Kashmir, at least 42 incidents of knife attacks have been reported during the current year, most of the victims young men in the age group 15-30.
The initial step in addressing any issue is acknowledging its existence, but in Kashmir, many people fail to recognize the surge in crime, often attributing it to increased media reporting. While this perspective may hold true for those observing Kashmir from a distance, those who view our society from within, beyond the scope of social media narratives, are acutely aware that the overall inclination towards criminal activities has significantly increased.
The statistical data corroborates this perspective. The Jammu and Kashmir Police annual gazette reported a 15.41 percent increase in registered crimes in 2020 compared to 2019.
Specifically, there were 28,936 cases registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code in Jammu and Kashmir during 2020, in contrast to the 25,072 cases reported in 2019.
Although the crime report for 2022 has not yet been released, the overall crime rate in Jammu and Kashmir surged by 24.6 percent in 2021 when compared to the statistics from 2019.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, the crime registration rate per lakh of the population increased from 235.7 in 2019 to 2021, while the overall chargesheeting rate reached 81.4 percent.
The reasons range from love to hate and jealousy among other, most of them originating from intolerance. This intolerance is visible in our everyday life. Kashmir’s social media may be a stark reminder of the growing hate, intolerance and anger among Kashmiris.
In Mattan’s Akad area, a youth was injured after being stabbed by some unknown people using a kitchen knife in June. The victim was identified as Sameer Ahmad Magray, son of Abdul Rashid Magray, a resident of Hardu Akad.
“Actually, the victim recorded a video of a boy with a girl,” a local resident said. “The boy got angry and with the help of his friends stabbed the victim.” The incident happened on May 10, when the victim was sitting in Akad Park.
The same day, in the nearby Krangsoo village, a similar incident took place. The victim in this incident was identified as Adnan Altaf, 16, who was at his maternal home in Krangsoo.
Adnan was stabbed by his childhood friend outside his maternal home. Locals from the area stated that both the victim and the accused were interested in the same girl and were constantly stalking her. The accused asked the victim to, “back off”. However, Adnan straight away refused to do so.
“The accused called Adnan to meet him prior to the attack, but he refused to go. So, the accused went outside Adnan’s house and called him out and on the pretext of a hug stabbed him with a knife,” a local resident of Krangsoo said.
The culprit was immediately arrested following the incident. Adnan suffered injuries to his shoulder and arms. Both the accused and the victim are students.
Stabbings have been reported in various locations, with some cases linked to personal disputes and conflicts over romantic interests.
Anger, Intolerance, and Knife Attacks
While the surge in knife attacks in Kashmir is a matter of local concern, it reflects a broader global trend where increasing anger and intolerance can lead to a rise in violent crimes, including knife attacks.
Psychologists and researchers worldwide have been studying the intricate relationship between anger, intolerance, and criminal behavior. Let’s delve into the findings and insights from global research on this pressing issue.
Experts in the field of psychology have extensively studied how anger and intolerance can contribute to acts of violence.
Dr. Lisa Turner, a renowned psychologist and author of “The Psychology of Violence,” emphasizes that anger, when left unchecked and unaddressed, can transform into aggression. She explains, “When individuals are unable to manage their anger or express their grievances through peaceful means, they may resort to violence as an outlet for their frustration.”
Moreover, intolerance, whether towards differing opinions, lifestyles, or beliefs, can exacerbate tensions within a society. Dr. Andrew Martinez, a leading researcher in social psychology, states, “Intolerance can foster a hostile environment where conflicts are more likely to escalate into violence. It hinders the ability to engage in constructive dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.”
A comprehensive report by the World Institute of Social Research (WISR) compiled data from multiple countries and highlighted that, “In regions where anger and intolerance go unaddressed, there is a higher likelihood of an escalation in violent crimes, such as knife attacks” (World Institute of Social Research, 2022).
Dr. Lisa Turner, author of “The Psychology of Violence,” stated, “Unmanaged anger can lead to acts of aggression when individuals feel their grievances are not acknowledged” (Turner, 2021).
Dr. Andrew Martinez, a leading social psychologist, emphasized, “Intolerance impedes peaceful dialogue and can create an environment ripe for violence” (Martinez, 2019).
The link between growing anger, intolerance, and knife attacks is a complex issue with global ramifications. Understanding this connection is crucial for devising effective strategies to prevent such violent incidents and promote harmony in societies.
While the specific circumstances in Kashmir may differ, the underlying psychological and sociological principles remain consistent, requiring a concerted effort to address these issues on a local and global scale.