Sindhi community campaigns for stronger knife laws

A NEW petition has been launched on Change.org calling for stronger legislation on knife crime following the fatal stabbing of Anita Mukhey (66) at a bus stop in London last week.

The petition, started by Sanjeev Bhavnani, a member of the Sindhi Association of UK community, also calls for more resources for law enforcement agencies to investigate these crimes effectively, and increased funding for education programmes to sensitise young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.

In the petition, Sanjeev writes: “The sad demise of dear sister Anita Mukhey has shocked not only the Sindhi community of UK but also the wider community at large. This personal tragedy has highlighted the urgency and importance of addressing this issue. Knife crime is not just statistics; it's about real people, families, and communities that are being torn apart."

The incident happened on May 9 at the Burnt Oak Broadway stop in Edgware, north London, and was witnessed by members of the public.

It is alleged that a man had approached the victim at about 11.46 am and had a brief exchange with her before slapping and punching her.

He later stabbed her several times with a knife as members of the public shouted at him to stop. Anita succumbed to her injuries at a hospital an hours later.

Jalal Debella, 22, was arrested on suspicion of the murder on the same day from Colindale, north-west London. He was charged with murder and having an offensive weapon in public, namely a knife.

He appeared at the Old Bailey on May 14 and Judge Angela Rafferty KC set a plea hearing for August 6.

Anita was working part-time in the NHS as a Medical Secretary and belonged to the Sindhi community.