Two illegal pony operators were booked along Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine track in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Tuesday, police said.
Raj Singh of Kakra and Abhishek Singh of Thakarakote villages were intercepted at a check point at Banganga enroute to the cave shrine atop Trikuta hills and found them operating without valid pony cards, a police spokesperson said.
He said the surprise check point was establish for verification of pony, pithoo (porter) and palki operators working the track amid intensified security arrangements in view of the upcoming Independence Day.
Two separate FIRs have been registered against the accused at Police Station Katra under the relevant provisions of law, the spokesman said.
The police reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the prescribed rules governing pony and palki operations, particularly in areas witnessing heavy pilgrim movement, to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims and visitors.