Malkangiri: Forest department officials in Motu, Malkangiri district, seized over 40 tonnes of illegally mined quartz on Friday and detained six individuals connected to the operation.
The department also seized two dumper trucks, an excavator, and a motorcycle used in the mining activity.
The detained individuals have been identified as K. Narasimha Rao, Borra Kanaka Naga Satyanarayana, Muddangula Sandeep, Yerra Povan Kumar, Koneru Srinivas Rao, and Satyendra Kumar.
“We received intelligence on November 7 regarding a possible illegal mining operation within the reserve forest area. In response, we deployed staff, and between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM, we have seized two trucks, an excavator, and approximately 40 tonnes of quartz. We have taken into custody six accused persons,” reported Rashmi Ranjan Swain, Range Officer of Motu.
