J&K: Eight held for aiding mentally unsound man in Kaaba replica construction

Srinagar, February 12: Eight persons were arrested by Police in North kashmir's Baramulla district on tuesday for tempting and assisting mentally unstable man in building a holy Kaaba look-alike structure in Waripora Kunzar.

According to officials, Abdul Razak, a resident of Waripora Kunzar, who is said to be mentally unstable, was encouraged by the accused to build the structure. The incident stirred strong reactions in the area, prompting authorities to intervene swiftly.

The arrests were made following widespread demands from locals for identifying those who instigated the act.

Acting on public outrage, a police team from Kunzar Police Station, under the supervision of SDPO Tangmarg Faizan Ali and SHO Kunzar Sheikh Aadil took all eight individuals into custody and registered formal cases against them.

"The involvement of these individuals in misleading and exploiting a mentally unsound person has been established, and legal action has been initiated accordingly," a police official said.

Local residents have welcomed the police action, calling for a thorough investigation to ensure such incidents do not recur. [KNT]