Puri: Tension erupted during a raid on illegal sand stockpiles in Pipili area of Odisha’s Puri district on Monday when the sub-collector was allegedly threatened by sand mafia members.
The incident has drawn sharp attention not only to the growing menace of illegal sand mining in Odisha but also to its deadly consequences, including the recent death of journalist Sheela Patnaik and another woman on January 6. Both lost their lives in a highway accident caused due to illegally dumped sand.
Sources said the incident
occurred when the Puri Sub-Collector, along with the Pipili Tehsildar and Police, conducted a joint raid at four locations in Nuashasan Panchayat targeting illegally stored sand. During the operation, officials seized more than 500 trips of illegally extracted sand.
However, the situation turned tense when members of the sand mafia allegedly threatened the Sub-Collector, forcing authorities to lodge a complaint at the Pipili Police Station. Based on the complaint, one person has already been detained, and 2 platoons of police have been deployed to maintain law and order in the area. Police have vowed strict action against those involved.
The seizure of 500 trips of sand is being seen as one of the largest crackdowns in Puri district in recent months. Authorities have also promised to intensify monitoring of sand mining activities across Puri district, acknowledging that unchecked operations have already cost lives.