Illegal Sand Mining / Odisha Cracks Down on Sand and Ore Mafias

Jagatsinghpur, Aug 3: Even as Odisha reels under flood conditions, illegal mining activities continue unabated. In Jagatsinghpur district’s Naugaon tehsil, sand mafias were caught red-handed extracting sand from the Devi river using heavy machinery late Sunday night.

Despite prior prohibitory orders by the district administration to protect river embankments during monsoon, mafias openly violated notices, deploying large machines and loading hundreds of trucks with sand.

Acting on a tip-off, the tehsildar and mining department officials raided the site, seizing one machine and lodging a complaint at Naugaon police station.

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Meanwhile, in Kendujhar district, forest officials foiled illegal iron ore mining inside Thakurani Reserved Forest under Barbil Range. During routine patrolling, officials received credible information about a JCB machine being used to excavate and transport iron ore.

A special team rushed to the spot, where miscreants fled under cover of darkness, abandoning the machine.

The JCB, bearing registration number OD-09-G-4668, was seized along with approximately 15 metric tonnes of illegally mined iron ore. The Barbil Range office has registered a case, and further investigation is underway.

Authorities have expressed concern that despite strict restrictions, mafias continue to exploit natural resources, risking environmental damage and undermining law and order.

Both cases have sparked public outrage, with locals demanding stronger action against the mafias and stricter monitoring of riverbeds and forest areas. Officials assured that investigations are ongoing and violators will face legal consequences.