Eight Held for Manganese Theft In Odisha

Keonjhar: Police on Tuesday arrested eight persons on charges of manganese ore theft from the forests near Kata Sahi under Rugudi Police limits here. This apart, two trucks, one bolero, one motorcycle, eight mobile phones and Rs 1 lakh cash have been seized from their possession.

Acting on a tip-off about manganese theft from the area, police Tuesday morning raided the spot for a search operation. However, when police tried to intercept the trucks engaged in illegal transport of manganese, the ore-laden vehicles didn't stop at the check-point. Police immediately chased them and seized both the trucks.

As all the vehicles seized in the incident are registered in West Bengal, it is being suspected that the arrested persons used to illegally unearth manganese ore from the forest areas and smuggle it to the neighbouring States.

An investigation is currently underway.