Sundargarh: A mining officer and police personnel were allegedly assaulted by members of a sand mafia during a crackdown on illegal sand mining at the Amalipali sand ghat on the Ib River in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Wednesday.
According to officials, a joint team comprising the Junior Mining Officer and personnel from Town Police Station conducted a raid at the sand ghat following reports of illegal sand extraction and transportation. During the operation, the team seized six vehicles allegedly loaded with illegally mined sand.
However, while the vehicles were being taken to the police station, a group of suspected sand mafia members intercepted the convoy and launched a violent attack on the officials. The attackers allegedly assaulted the mining officer and police personnel, using kicks, punches and abusive language.
In the ensuing chaos, the assailants forcibly took away five of the six seized vehicles. Despite the attack, officials managed to bring one vehicle to the police station, sources said.
The Junior Mining Officer later lodged a formal complaint at Town Police Station, detailing the alleged assault and obstruction of official duty. Based on the complaint, police have registered a case and launched an intensive operation to identify and apprehend those involved.
Police teams are conducting raids at multiple locations in search of the accused, officials said.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Havildar-Constable Union. Union president Prabhas Tripathi demanded stringent action against those responsible and called for enhanced protection for enforcement personnel engaged in anti-mining operations.
Further investigation is underway.
