An inspector and a constable of the excise department suffered severe injuries when ganja smugglers attacked them near Ghodahada village under Kotpad police limits in Koraput district on Friday night. The officials were part of a team that had gone to conduct a raid to check the illicit Ganja (dry cannabis) trade.
The injured duo, identified as Durbadhala Biswal (IIC) and Meghnada Sabar (constable), has been admitted to Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in a critical condition.
Acting on a tip-off, three teams of Jeypore-Borigumma excise range in three vans went to the jungle near Ghodahada village to nab ganja mafia at around 11 pm. As one team comprising five members including IIC Biswal and constable Sabar entered the jungle, about 20 to 25 miscreants attacked them with sharp weapons.
The IIC and the constable suffered grievous injuries on their heads. They were immediately rushed to the SLNMCH. They are undergoing treatment at the surgery ward.
Immediately after the incident, the Kotpad police station was alerted about the attack. A team from the police station rushed to Ghodahada village and carried out raids in the village as well as in the forest. But the ganja smugglers managed to give the police a slip and disappeared into the forest taking advantage of darkness.