SRINAGAR: Police seized 17 vehicles, including three JCB machines, seven dumpers and seven mixer vehicles, during a raid at the under-construction Government Medical College (GMC) site in Chogal, Handwara, in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday, following the detection of allegedly illegal dumping and processing of Nallah muck.
The raid was conducted under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Handwara, with the assistance of the in-charge of Police Post Chogul.
During the operation, the police team found a large quantity of Nallah muck allegedly dumped and stored at the site without the required authorisation. The contractor concerned was asked to produce the necessary permissions and supporting documents but reportedly failed to do so.
The Executive Magistrate, Tehsildar Handwara, and officials of the Mining Department were subsequently called to the site for a joint inspection.
According to the findings of the inspection, the material was allegedly being processed into sand, bajri, stone dust and other construction materials for unauthorised sale and supply to various projects across the Valley.
The entire stock of material was seized and handed over to the Mining Department for assessment, valuation and further legal action.
The estimated value of the seized material is between Rs 1 crore and Rs 2 crore, subject to official assessment.
