PAMPORE: In a decisive move against the sand mafia, police in Pampore conducted a major operation on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of five persons and the seizure of three vehicles involved in illegal sand mining and damaged river Jhelum bunds. The crackdown took place in the Patalbagh Pampore area of Police District Awantipora.
Police officials, led by SDPO Pampore Krishan Rattan and SHO Pampore Rashid Khan, spearheaded the operation, police officials told Kashmir Reader.
“The police officials led by SDPO Pampore Krishan Rattan and SHO Pampore Rashid Khan seized three vehicles (tippers) and arrested five persons for their involvement in illegal sand mining and damaging river Jhelum bunds in the Patalbagh area of Pampore,” they said.
SDPO Pampore, Krishan Rattan, informed Kashmir Reader about the operation, stating, “Today, a drive was conducted against the sand mafia in the Patalbagh area of Pampore. During this operation, three vehicles were seized, and five persons were arrested for damaging the Jhelum river bunds.”
The police action followed numerous complaints from local residents about the sand mafia’s activities, which were causing significant damage to the Jhelum bunds. In response, a raid was conducted, resulting in the immediate arrest of the five persons and the seizure of the vehicles involved in the illegal sand activity.
A case has been registered at Police Station Pampore, and an investigation has been initiated to further probe the extent of the illegal activities and the persons involved.
This crackdown is part of ongoing efforts by the local authorities to combat illegal sand mining, which poses a severe threat to the environment and local infrastructure.
The police have reiterated their commitment to taking stringent actions against such illegal activities to protect the region’s natural resources and ensure the safety of its residents.