Admin goes tough against ‘illegal excavation’ in Shopian

SRINAGAR — In a major crackdown against ‘illegal excavation’ activities, authorities Saturday seized around two dozen vehicles in several villages of south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Reports reaching here said that the drive was conducted in villages including Heff Shirmal, Turkwangam, Darazpora, Sugan and Chitragam, which prompted authorities to take action.

Tehsildar Chitragam, Shah Najiullah Ansari said, “The illegal excavation was going on for a while now which prompted us to take action,” he said, adding that as many as nineteen tractors, two JCBs and a double-decker tipper was seized during the drive.”

“We will take stringent action against the people involved in such activities,” the official added.