The Special Task Force (STF) on Sunday arrested Sanjay Paikray, kingpin of an illegal mining racket operating in Khurda Sadar area.
Preliminary investigation suggests that Paikray, a resident of Kumarbasta village under Khurda Sadar police area, operated an illegal mining quarry on government land in Tapang area. He was the kingpin of one of the gangs operating in the area.
They used to blast boulders on rocky hills and hillocks without any authority or without paying any royalty to the government, thereby causing serious financial loss to the exchequer.
The gang used to procure illegal arms and ammunition, which its members used to terrorise residents, government officials and rival gangs, the police said.
On May 31, the STF apprehended Sana alias Dushasan Behera, an associate of Paikray, while he was preparing to commit a dacoity. He was forwarded to court along with the seized firearms.
The illegal mining gangs had also acquired explosives for use in the mining areas. The STF seized 10kg of ammonia nitrate powder, some gelatin sticks, wires and stabilizer of explosive chemicals from the illegal quarry Paikray ran.
Paikray will be forwarded to the court of SDJM, Khurda.
