8 arrested for inciting mentally unstable man to build replica of Holy structure

Srinagar: Police in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have arrested eight individuals, including a carpenter, for allegedly inciting and assisting a mentally unstable man in constructing a replica of a holy structure in Waripora Kunzar.
Officials as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that Abdul Razak, a resident of Waripora Kunzar believed to be mentally unstable, was misled and encouraged by the accused to build the structure.
The incident triggered strong reactions from locals, prompting swift police intervention.
A team from Kunzar Police Station led by SDPO Tangmarg and SHO Kunzar detained eight suspects and registered formal cases against them. “Legal proceedings are underway,” a police official said.
Meanwhile, the residents have lauded the police response, urging a thorough inquiry to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Earlier, Police in a statement said that they apprehended an individual, Abdul Razak Lone of Waripora Kunzar, whose video had gone viral on social media. The said individual had constructed a structure resembling the Holy Kaaba, which was later voluntarily demolished by locals during the night.
Preliminary inquiry suggests that the individual appears to be mentally unsound, police said.
Police also urged the general public to refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation regarding this incident on social media or any other platform and warned of strict action.
“We request all citizens to maintain peace, communal harmony, and cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Any concerns or suspicious activities should be reported to the police through official channels”, police statement issued earlier reads