Restricted to lift sand illegally, man torches tehsildar’s vehicle

Angul: A man suspected to be a part of sand mafia allegedly torched the personal vehicle of Chhendipada tehsildar in the district after the latter prevented him to lift sand from river without paying revenue.

The accused, identified as Priyabrat Naik alias Papu, warned the tehsildar in the evening on Monday against his order on sand lifting. "I asked him to pay the bill of sand ghats failing which the lease order would be cancelled. Instead of abiding by the government rules, he threatened me. In the evening, he set my car on fire and fled the spot", Tehsildar Pratap Pritimaya said.

He filed a complaint with police in this connection demanding strict action against all involved in the mafia.

"We have registered a case against Priyabrat Naik alias Papu. He is absconding now. We have launched a manhunt to nab him," Chhendipada police IIC Dinakrushna Mishra said.