Motor Boat Used for Illegal Sand Extraction Seized in South Kashmir | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Awantipora police on Tuesday intensified their crackdown on illegal extraction and transportation of minerals, seizing a mechanised motor boat allegedly used for illicit sand mining on the Jhelum in the Datpora Reshipora area in South Kashmir.

A police team from Police Post Reshipora 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 mechanised boat to extract sand illegally from the riverbed, causing environmental damage and violating mining regulations.

Following the seizure, a case 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 unauthorised extraction of natural resources. [KNT]