Sand mafia attacks Police IIC in Odisha, damages vehicle

A senior police officer from Kaptipada Police Station sustained grievous injuries in an alleged assault by a sand mafia in Mayurbhanj district, on Wednesday. The incident occurred while the IIC Prakash Rath was probing allegations of illegal sand dumping in Dahisahi.

Upon arrival at the site, IIC Rath began his probe by questioning those present about the ownership of the heaped sand. However, tensions suddenly escalated when a number of women, estimated to be more than five, joined the sand mafia and attacked the officer.

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According to official sources, the group allegedly assaulted the cop with stones, causing significant injuries to his back and spine. His police vehicle was also vandalised in the attack, with its window panels shattered by the stones thrown.

The cop was undergoing medical care in a nearby health facility for his injuries. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding illegal sand mining activities in the region.

“Acting on the directives of the Sub-Collector, we had started a drive against smuggling of sand and stones in Kaptipada locality. I and the additional tehsildar of Kaptipada carried out raids last night between 11.00 PM and 3.00 AM. We also continued the raids today in the morning,” the IIC said mediapersons.

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“During the raid last night, we noticed that a sand mafia member named Ghera had dumped fifteen to twenty truck-loads of sand in a private land. We had warned him not to shift the minor mineral asking him to leave them for government auction” the IIC expressed.

“However, upon reaching Ghera’s house in the morning, he along with around five women attacked us. I sustained injuries and vehicle vandalised in the attack,” the cop stated.

Reported By: Abhijeet Biswal