Balasore: A mining department official was allegedly attacked by morum mafia during a special operation in Khaira area of Odisha’s Balasore district.
According to sources, the incident took place late Friday night when Junior Mining Officer Abhishek Behera was on a patrol mission. While the officer escaped unhurt, the attackers pelted stones at his official vehicle, smashed its glass, and threatened to kill him.
Sources said Behera and two policemen were on patrol duty in the Kupari area after receiving information about illegal morum (gravel) smuggling. When they reached near Sundarpur Chowk, a car and two bikes carrying the morum mafia suddenly appeared and launched the attack. The miscreants stopped the officer’s vehicle, pelted stones heavily, and broke its glass.
It was alleged that the attackers issued direct death threats to the officer before fleeing from the spot. The mining officer immediately drove his damaged vehicle to Khaira Police Station and lodged a complaint.
Following the incident, Junior Mining Officers from Nilagiri and Soro also reached the spot and conducted a probe.
Police have registered a case and launched a thorough investigation into the incident.
