Two unauthorised pony operators booked at Vaishno Devi shrine

In a crackdown against unauthorised service providers and impersonators on the Vaishno Devi shrine track, Reasi police have registered two separate FIRs under relevant sections of law against two individuals fraudulently working as pony operators.

“During routine patrolling near Geeta Mata Mandir, Bathing Ghat-2, a man claiming to be Puran Singh was stopped and asked to produce his authorised pony service license. On verification, the photograph on the card did not match the individual. Upon further scrutiny, his Aadhaar card revealed his true identity as Manir Hussain, a resident of Jhandi, in Reasi. The impersonator was found to be misusing someone else’s authorised card to illegally operate on the shrine’s track,” an official spokesperson said.

Accordingly, an FIR under Sections 319, 223 BNS was been registered at the Katra police station and further investigation is ongoing.

In another incident near Ban Ganga Bridge, a person identified as Sahil Khan, a resident of Akhnoor in Jammu district, was found operating a pony without any valid authorisation. Upon inquiry, he admitted to having no registered pony card in his name, thus violating SDM’s orders and operating unlawfully. An FIR under Section 223 BNS was registered at the Katra police station with an investigation underway.

“Reasi Police reiterates its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring the sanctity and security of the holy track. Strict surveillance, patrolling, and verification drives will continue to prevent such unlawful and potentially dangerous activities,” the spokesperson said.

The police have also asked all pony service providers to carry valid authorisation and called upon pilgrims and locals to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police personnel.

The surprise checking came in the backdrop of the terror attack in Pahalgam where 26 tourists were killed. Thousands of non-local pilgrims come to pay their obeisance at Vaishno Devi shrine every week.