Ganja Mafia On The Prowl: Tractor Runs Over Home Guard At Check Point In Malkangiri

Malkangiri: Southern Odisha, often considered the hotbed of ganja smuggling, hit the headlines again following a sudden encounter between the ganja smugglers and police in Chitrakonda area of the district last night.

A joint team of police and excise department had put on a road check at Kankarpada square in Chitrakonda after receiving a tip-off about a tractor smuggling ganja. As the team saw the tractor approaching the check gate, Home Guard Tuna Bairagi tried to stop the vehicle but instead sustained injuries as the driver of the tractor allegedly hit him and fled the scene.

While Tuna was immediately shifted to hospital for treatment, other officials chased down the tractor and arrested three smugglers on charges of illegally transporting huge quantity of ganja.

Tuna Bairagi, whose back has reportedly been fractured in the incident said, “The tractor ran me over when I tried to stop it. My back is completely broken and my hands are also injured in the incident.”

Though the tractor driver managed to flee the spot taking advantage of the darkness, police has launched a manhunt to nab the perp.