The sand mafia attacked mining officials and workers on the road, leaving a miner seriously injured in Anandpur, Keonjhar district. The injured miner was rescued and rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Every day, hundreds of sand-laden vehicles are illegally transported from the sand ghats of the Baitarani, Kushei, and Remal rivers in Anandpur. Mining officials launched a raid late last night to curb this illegal activity. During the operation, the sand mafia surrounded them and launched a brutal attack using fists and sharp weapons.
They assaulted mining officials and workers on the road and vandalized property in the area. However, as an ambulance passed through the road, its siren caused the attackers to flee, mistaking it for a police vehicle.
The Ghasipura police later arrived at the scene and rescued the injured miner and the officials. An investigation is underway to identify and apprehend those involved in the attack.