In a firm crackdown against unauthorised service providers and impersonators on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track, police have arrested two impersonators in Katra town of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir.
Police said that two separate FIRs are registered under relevant sections of law, exposing individuals fraudulently operating as Pony service providers.
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 licence, said police.
Police added that on verification, the photograph on the card did not match the individual, and upon further scrutiny, his Aadhaar card revealed his true identity as Manir Hussain of Jhandi, Tehsil Thakrakote, District Reasi.
The impersonator was found to be misusing someone else’s authorised card to illegally operate on the track.
In another incident near Ban Ganga Bridge, police said that a person identified as Sahil Khan of Kotli Akhnoor, District Jammu, 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 orders and operating unlawfully.
Police said that cases under relevant sections are registered and investigations started.
Police, however, have urged all service providers to carry valid authorisation and calls upon pilgrims and locals to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police personnel.
