Days after the death of a teenager, who was killed while watching a sword dance at a wedding procession in Hyderabad's Old City area, an 'anti-baraat nuisance' team was set up by the South Zone Police on Thursday.
South Zone DCP V Satyanarayana said that the team would ensure that no knives and daggers are used at weddings, though there are no specific laws to stop them.
“Youths working in the Gulf come home to get married and want Arab-style celebrations with dagger dances. It is a matter of prestige,” an official of South Zone told a media outlet.
"The ten-member team will be acting in association with the control room. Once an alert is received, the team will go to the venue and will book cases," the DCP said.
“When we asked the elders and leaders of the community, they said there was no such rule or practice as per the law. However, these youngsters treat this as a status symbol and pride. Our zone had four divisions, so there will be four SIs and 40 police constables looking after such activities at any given point in time. Each team will be supervised by the divisional Assistant Commissioner of Police," the DCP was quoted as saying.
The police official also warned that cases would be booked against such practices, and the weapons would be seized.
Earlier this week, a 15-year-old boy was killed in Hyderabad’s Shaikpet area, during a ‘dagger dance’ being performed by a 19-year-old at an engagement function in the city.
The victim, identified as Syed Hameed, died after he suffered a two-centimetres deep injury on his throat, as he got close to the performer. He died while undergoing treatment.
The police later filed a case, and took the accused into custody.
The case had also brought such practices, common in Hyderabad's Old City area, under the scanner.