Poonch, Apr 24: Two persons were apprehended by police on seizure of huge quantity of ‘illegaly-ferried’ iron bars in Mandi area of Poonch district in Jammu division on Saturday. 

Officials told Srinagar-based news agency that a tractor laden with huge quantity of iron bars, mounted by two persons, was intercepted by a police team at a naka in Mandi area.

“With no significant construction going on in the area, the duo was subjected to questioning however they couldn’t justify their position and as such were arrested on the spot”, they said.

Confirming the seizure, SHO Mandi Bashir Kohli told a news organization that two persons identified as Mohammad Lateef son of Noor Din (tractor driver), and (Saria purchaser) Mohammad Akram son of Mir Mohammad, both residents of Aria Mandi were arrested after a naka laid on the directions of SSP Poonch Dr Vinod Kumar.

An FIR number 45/21 under sections 409,109 IPC has been taken up at police station Mandi and further investigations taken up, the officer added.

Meanwhile sources told that a local store-keeper, who also happens to be a Village Level Worker, suspected to have been involved in the act has gone absconding soon after the news about the seizure spread. gns