Mahua flower mafia attack Odisha Excise Department officials, abduct lady sub-inspector

In a brazen act, members of a mafia group intercepted and stole a pick-up truck carrying 16 quintals of mahua flowers from the Odisha Excise Department officials in Mayurbhanj district on Tuesday.

This event akin to Bollywood thriller antics reportedly took place near Jarada village under the Kaptipada police jurisdiction.

The Loot Incident:

As per initial reports, the Excise Department successfully apprehended the pick-up truck near the Kaptipada junction and arrested as many as four individuals associated with the transport of the mahua flowers. 

As the operation unfolded, a lady Sub-Inspector Shubhadarshini Sahu was transporting the confiscated consignment to the department's headquarters in Udala.

The Ambush:

However, as the vehicle neared Jarada, an organised group of mafia members reportedly executed a meticulously planned ambush. They overpowered the driver by thrashing him mercilessly and abducted both the truck and Sub-Inspector Sahu. 

The gang then diverted the truck to a nearby location, where they offloaded the Mahua, presumably to secure it before abandoning the vehicle.

Law Enforcement's Response:

Prompt response from the local law enforcement led to the rescue of the sub-inspector and also retrieval of the mahua flowers, but the mafia members escaped, challenging the ongoing investigation and raising security concerns in the region.

Concerns & Future Actions:

Authorities have since bolstered efforts to combat organised crime activities, particularly those concerning the lucrative illegal trade of mahua. 

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The department has called for increased vigilance and cooperation from local communities to curb the influence of such networks.

"The mafias intercepted our vehicle and forcefully took away the mahua flowers as we had less number of manpower," said Excise Department SI, Shubhadarshini Sahu.