Firing on Balasore youth linked to 'illegal soil lifting'

Balasore: The ongoing dispute between two groups over sand and soil mining in the region led to the attack on a youth, alleged local residents today. The youth, identified as Biranchi Das of Kantabania sustained grievous injuries after being shot at by miscreants yesterday.

According to reports, there is a dispute between two groups of Kantabania and Sanadahpada villages over lifting of sand and soil from Budhabalanga riverbed. All the illegal sand mining is being carried out without any tenders right under the nose of the district administration which has remained a mute spectator so far, alleged locals.

Due to the shimmering tension between the groups, the villagers are spending days in fear as there has been a rise in violence in the recent past, informed sources.
“Earlier, section 144 was clamped in the area, but illegal sand mining has resumed. The rivalry between the groups is getting violent,” said Sanatan Jena, a local resident.

Subhransu Sekhar Nayak, Inspector-in-charge of Sahadevkhunta Police Station said, “We are investigating the cause of dispute between the two groups and appropriate action will be taken in this regard.”

Balasore Sub-collector, Nilu Mohapatra said that lifting of soil is completely illegal.

“The tehsildar has been asked to conduct a field visit and impose fine on violators,” said Mohapatra.