A sudden and violent surge in knife-related crimes has sent shockwaves through Chandigarh, exposing serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement. Within a mere 24-hour period, the city witnessed two separate stabbing incidents leaving six people wounded, alongside a spree of armed robberies, painting a grim picture of the current security situation.
Double Stabbing Incidents Terrorize Residents
The first attack unfolded late on Tuesday night during a community langar near the Hallomajra Power House. According to reports, a heated argument escalated dramatically when three unidentified youths, arriving on a scooter, allegedly attacked Raghunath Prasad (46) and his cousins Ramesh Patel (21) and Mahendra Kumar (30). Witnesses described a frenzied assault where the assailants suddenly produced sharp weapons, stabbed the three men, and fled the scene. All victims were rushed to GMCH-32 for treatment. The Sector-31 police station is investigating and scanning CCTV footage, but no arrests have been made yet.
Merely hours later, the Mauli Jagran area was the site of another brutal knife attack. In this incident, three young men—Prakash (18), Dharmendra (18), and Sumit alias Golu (22)—were stabbed during a clash. Police sources indicate that the violence stemmed from personal enmity and old disputes, with revenge being a primary angle of investigation. These three victims were also admitted to GMCH-32.
Knife-Point Robberies Add to the Chaos
Adding to the city's sense of vulnerability, knife-wielding robbers struck on two separate occasions within the same 24-hour window. On Tuesday afternoon, Amresh Kumar (34) was ambushed near the railway tracks in Industrial Area Phase-2. In a terrifying ordeal, one robber held a knife to his neck while an accomplice snatched his mobile phone, cash, and important documents. Police have registered a case and are conducting raids to apprehend the accused, identified as Kartik and Guli.
In a similarly brazen attack near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Maloya, a 21-year-old delivery boy named Vikas was not only robbed of his phone but also stabbed by the assailants. He is currently recovering at GMSH-16 as authorities examine CCTV footage for leads.
A Glimmer of Hope: Police Crack One Robbery Case
Amid the alarming crime wave, the Sector-31 police managed to achieve a breakthrough in a previous case. They have arrested three individuals in connection with a knife-point robbery that occurred on December 14. The accused—Bunti Singh (21), Abhijeet alias Golu (19), and Nitin alias Chintu (22), all residents of Ramdarbar—had threatened a 29-year-old woman named Reshma and fled with her phone and purse.
During the investigation, police successfully recovered the stolen items, two knives, and the Activa scooter used in the commission of the crime. Notably, Bunti Singh is described as the alleged kingpin and has three prior robbery cases registered against him. All three arrested individuals are currently in police remand.
The consecutive violent events have starkly highlighted glaring gaps in law and order in Chandigarh, a city known for its planned architecture and relative peace. Residents are now demanding urgent and effective action from the police force to curb this dangerous trend of knife crimes and restore a sense of security on the streets.
