Sub-Collector injured in attack by sand mafia in Odisha

The Sub-Collector of Balasore, Kunal Sitaram Chouhan was assaulted allegedly by the sand mining mafia at Dahapada under Sahadevkhunta police limits on Friday.

As per reports, Chouhan was on his way to Balasore from Fuladi when he saw a sand laden truck halting over the Fuladi bridge. Chouhan got down from his vehicle to check the papers.

However, irked by the sudden checking, the sand mafia allegedly attacked Chouhan and his driver. The mafia hit his head with a stone seriously injuring him in the process.

The mafia have reportedly damaged the sub-collector’s official vehicle as well.

Following the attack, Chouhan was rushed to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital where he is currently under treatment.

Collector, Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde said, “We had conducted raids in Mandarpur and Dahapada areas last night following a tip off on illegal sand mining and confiscated several tipper trucks, tractors and JCBs. Today, the Sub-Collector was sent to the area again to calculate the seized machines and vehicles to begin the auction process.”

“The sand mafia and some of their supporters attacked him and his driver near Dahapada,” he added.

Balasore SP has reached the hospital to take stock of Chouhan's health condition.

(Reported By Rashmiranjan Das, OTV)