Police tighten oversight on hospitals, chemical shops, vehicle dealerships in Srinagar
Srinagar, Nov 21: Srinagar Police has intensified security checks across hospitals, chemical and fertiliser shops, and car dealerships over the past two days as part of a widened effort to plug regulatory gaps and prevent the misuse of facilities and materials for unlawful activities.
Officials said the drive follows the recent busting of a “white-collar terror” module jointly investigated by Jammu and Kashmir Police along with police forces in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, which led to several arrests, including three doctors.
During the investigation, investigators found evidence of the unregulated sale of ammonium nitrate, suspicious second-hand vehicle purchases, and weapons stashed inside hospital lockers—findings that prompted a round of precautionary inspections to eliminate any vulnerabilities.
Police teams, accompanied by health department officials, inspected locker rooms, storage spaces and other sensitive areas of hospitals and public health centres across Srinagar. Staff were instructed to ensure lockers are used strictly for official purposes and to maintain proper records of stored items. The checks follow the arrest of a doctor linked to the module, from whose locker at Government Medical College, Anantnag, an AK-47 rifle was recovered.
On Friday, the focus shifted to commercial establishments. Special teams verified stock documentation and storage arrangements at chemical and fertiliser shops, checked licences and assessed compliance with regulatory norms. Shopkeepers were urged to remain alert and report any suspicious transactions without delay.
Parallel inspections were carried out at car dealerships to ensure the authenticity of purchaser identities, proper maintenance of sales and stock records, and adherence to security guidelines aimed at preventing vehicle misuse.
Dealers were advised to stay vigilant and immediately flag any unusual purchase behaviour.
Police said the coordinated inspections reflect an ongoing priority to strengthen public safety and ensure that commercial and institutional facilities are not exploited for criminal or terror-linked activity. Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar, Dr G. V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, has constituted specialised teams to conduct the multilayered checks, which are expected to continue periodically.
