2 arrested for unauthorised excavation at graveyard

Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested two people for allegedly carrying out unauthorised excavation inside a graveyard in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, officials said.

Advertisement

A spokesperson said Baramulla police swiftly responded to a sensitive incident that occurred late on Monday night at a graveyard in Shiapora village, Delina, Baramulla district.

The police said at 11:50 pm, local community members reported unauthorised excavation using a JCB machine within the graveyard premises.

A police team took the situation under control and the JCB used for excavation stands seized and order was restored at the site, the police said.

“The contractor responsible for the excavation has been taken into custody and an FIR has been registered at Baramulla police station under relevant Sections of law,” the police said.

On Tuesday afternoon, the police said they arrested the absconding JCB driver.

The police said the driver, who had fled the scene after being confronted by an agitated crowd, “was located and taken into custody earlier today following sustained efforts by the investigation team.”

“His arrest follows the earlier detention of the contractor. Both are now under legal proceedings initiated through an FIR registered at Baramulla police station,” the police said. Investigation is on to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police spokesperson added, “The police continue to maintain law and order in the area with ongoing engagement with community leaders and active monitoring of digital platforms to prevent the spread of provocative or false content.”