Srinagar, Dec 25 (KNS): Amid reports against land and mining mafia for illegally earth filling wetland and agriculture land in Pampore tehsil of Pulwama district, an employee of Mining department was taken hostage and beaten by the mafia while he tried to stop illegal soil extraction in Wuyan.

Following complaints of illegal soil extraction in Wuyan area of the district, District Mining team led by DMO Pulwama Fayaz Ahmad and assisted by Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyad Mohiuddin inspected the Mining spot at Wuyan near petrol pump.

Officials said that machines and tippers including JCB and earth moving machine were working illegally at the spot.

"An employee of the Mining department was beaten and taken hostage by the mafia, who freed him after three hours after police intervention," officials said.

DMO Pulwama Fayaz Ahmad said that he filed a complaint about the incident following which police swung into action and booked a JCB owner Sheeraz Ahmad Rather son of Abdul Rashid Rather of Zawoora for illegally operating the machine and soil extraction at Wuyan.

An FIR no 84/2021 under sections was registered against him at Police station Khrew and further legal proceedings are going on.

The police has booked him under Section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant and causing injury to a lawful employee), Section 342 (wrongful confinement) and Section 427 (causing mischief and damage).

Illegal mining and soil extraction was done at Wuyan by the land mafia during night hours but after media reports and vigil by the Mining department, the illegal extraction got stopped. (KNS)