Srinagar: Awantipora police on Tuesday intensified their crackdown against illegal extraction and transportation of minerals by seizing a mechanized motor boat allegedly used for illicit sand mining from river Jhelum in the Datpora Reshipora area.
A police team from Police Post Reshipora, led by Incharge SI Muneer Ahmad, intercepted and seized the boat after receiving inputs about illegal mineral extraction activity along the river stretch, officials said.
Police identified the persons involved as Imran Rashid Dar, son of Abdul Rashid Dar, and Ubaid Maqsood Dar, son of Maqsood Ahmad Dar, both inhabitants of Dogripora. The accused were allegedly using the mechanized boat to extract sand illegally from the riverbed, causing environmental damage and violating mining regulations.
Following the seizure, a case vide FIR No. 268/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Awantipora, and further investigation has been initiated to ascertain the scale of the illegal activity and involvement of others, if any.
Police have appealed to locals to cooperate by sharing information regarding illegal mineral-related activities in their neighbourhoods, asserting that strict legal action will continue against violators involved in unauthorized extraction of natural resources. [KNT]
