Baripada: A group of sand smugglers allegedly attacked and caused injuries to the Tehsildar and other employees of Betnoti Tehsil in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, triggering tension in the area.
As per sources, Tehsildar Chandrajit Behera and four other government employees sustained injuries in the attack by sand smugglers on Tuesday evening.
Around 15 smugglers intercepted the Tehsildar’s vehicle near an eatery on National Highway-18 and assaulted the officer and his driver, identified as Nihar Ranjan Biswal.
While Biswal suffered head injuries. Revenue Supervisor Hemakanta Mohanta, Jugupura RI Sanjeev Mohanta and Satyabrata Naik accompanying the Tehsildar were also assaulted during the incident.
The incident took place after the Tehsildar detained a tractor engaged in illegal sand transportation near the Betnoti Court late in the afternoon and handed it over to the Betnoti Police.
Following the attack in the evening, a police team rushed to the spot and rescued the Tehsildar and the other injured employees. All were subsequently admitted to a nearby hospital.
Based on the complaint lodged by the Tehsildar, police have launched an investigation. So far, two accused, identified as Prashant Gana of Bartana village and Sushant Gana, have been taken into custody in connection with the incident. A hunt is underway to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects, police said.
