Odisha officials attacked by sand mafia in Balasore, probe on

Some officials from the Department of Mines and local police were allegedly assaulted by individuals associated with illegal sand mining in the Jaleswar locality of Balasore district on Friday.

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According to police sources, an altercation took place as the officials conducted a raid on an unlawful sand extraction site located in the southern Praharajpur region.

Rampant illegal sand quarrying

A team, including the mining officer from Jaleswar and two police officers, intercepted three tractors carrying sand mined without authorization. As the authorities attempted to seize these vehicles, they were met with hostility from individuals alleged to be part of the sand quarrying gang, including some perpetrators believed to be the tractors’ owners and other anti-social elements.

Despite the confrontation, the culprits managed to reclaim the sand-laden tractors forcibly. The mining officer has since lodged an FIR with the local police, and probes are underway to identify and prosecute those involved in the illegal activity.

Allegedly, the region has long grappled with the illegal sand mafia’s influence, exerting a notorious control over local resources. The authorities are of the view that comprehensive measures are needed to combat this enduring issue.

The incident underscores the perennial difficulties faced by mining officials and local police in curbing unlawful activities within the mining sector, highlighting the need for enhanced security and legal frameworks to protect both personnel and natural resources.

“I was tipped off that sand was illegally being quarried from Raibania Ghat. Swinging into action, a team comprising me and two police personnel from Jaleswar Police Station raided the spot,” Jaleswar junior mining officer (JMO), Jitendra Kumar Das said.

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“When we reached the illegal quarry at around 5.30 AM and attempted to capture the vehicles, the mafia forcibly released a tractor along with its driver following a scuffle and unloaded the minor mineral from another tractor,” the local JMO stated.