Jatni Tehsildar thrashed for opposing illegal stone mining

Khurda: In a shocking incident, some unidentified miscreants believed to be a group of stone mafia attacked Jatni Tehsildar on Wednesday allegedly for his opposition against illegal stone quarrying in the area.

As per the information, Jatni Tehsildar Bijay Kumar Swain and some other officials were attacked by some persons at Rathipur village while they were going to conduct a raid at an illegal quarry. The official vehicle of the Tehsildar was also damaged and the official was threatened for life.

Later the Tehsildar was admitted to the Jatni hospital for treatment.

“After receiving complaints of unrestrained illegal mining in the area, we went to raid a quarry near Rathipur. During the search we seized a power tiller from the spot. However, the illegal miners managed to flee. While returning with the seized machinery, around 20 to 25 miscreants intercepted us and pelted stones at us. Somehow we managed to escape due to the presence of mind of the driver,” said the Tehsildar.

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The Jatni police station has registered a case on basis of a complaint filed by the Tehsildar. Besides, Khurda Collector Niranjan Sahu and Bhubaneswar ACP met the official and got a detailed account of the incident.

Talking to newsmen, the Khurda Collector said the incident is condemnable. “Mining mafia involved in the attack on the officials will get exemplary punishment,” Sahu added.

Meanwhile, the OAS Officers' Association has condemned the attack on the Jatni Tehsildar.