Keonjhar: A mining officer was severely injured after he was attacked by the sand mafia in the Anandapur area of Keonjhar district on Sunday.
According to reports, the incident occurred near a bridge over the Baitarani River in the Anandapur sub-division during a routine vehicle inspection on Sunday night.
The operation turned violent when the mining officer, Suraj Hembram, stopped a vehicle suspected to be associated with the sand mafia for inspection. The vehicle’s occupants then assaulted the officer and his team.
The assailants damaged the officer’s vehicle and inflicted serious injuries on him and his driver. Both were rescued by the Ghasipura police and taken to a hospital. The perpetrators escaped following the attack.
A case has been filed at the Ghasipura police station, and an investigation is ongoing. Authorities are making efforts to locate and arrest the culprits.
It is important to note that attacks on mining department personnel by miscreants are becoming increasingly common in Keonjhar, a district known for its mineral wealth.
Local sources indicate that illegal transportation of sand from quarries along the Baitarani, Kushei, and Remal rivers is rampant, necessitating increased surveillance.
