A shocking attack by the Moram mafia rocked Balasore district late Friday night when Junior Mining Officer Abhishek Behera faced a violent assault in the Khaira area.
The red gravel smugglers pelted stones at his official vehicle, shattered its glass, and threatened to kill him.
Behera, accompanied by two policemen, was patrolling the Kupari region after receiving information about illegal gravel smuggling. Near Sundarpur Chowk, a car and two bikes carrying the mafia intercepted his vehicle and launched the attack. The officer managed to drive his damaged vehicle to Khaira Police Station, but the attackers chased him and repeated their death threats before fleeing.
Behera immediately lodged a complaint and alerted senior officials. Junior Mining Officers from Nilagiri and Soro reached the spot to assist in the investigation. Police registered a case and began a probe into the assault.
The incident exposed the growing audacity of the Moram mafia in Balasore, which continues to operate despite repeated crackdowns. Locals alleged that some mining officials in the Soro area accept bribes and ignore illegal operations, fueling the mafia’s confidence.
Authorities have intensified surveillance and promised strict action against the culprits.
