Balangir, Jul 22: In a crackdown on inter-state smuggling, Deogaon police in Balangir, Odisha, seized two trucks carrying over a thousand sacks of paddy, suspected to be illegally transported from Chhattisgarh.

The trucks, bearing Chhattisgarh registration numbers CG 04 JC 7665 and CG 06 GN 9151, were intercepted on National Highway 26 during routine patrolling on Monday. The seizure has raised concerns about widespread smuggling of paddy into Odisha, particularly as the state has completed rabi paddy procurement and begun farmer registration for kharif sales.

The trucks were reportedly en route to Samaleswari Rice Mill in Tusura, Balangir, via the Kantabanji-Tikrapada-Bhutiar Bahal route. Initial investigations by Additional Supply Officer Sarat Rout estimate the seized paddy to be around 600 quintals.

The Supply Department was promptly informed, and further inquiries are underway to determine the exact origin and intended destination of the consignment.

This incident follows a recent case where a rice-laden truck was detained but later released after investigation, highlighting the recurring issue of illegal grain transport in the region.

The involvement of Samaleshwari Rice Mill has drawn scrutiny, as its owner, Niranjan Kedia, was previously arrested by Rayagada police for smuggling ganja in a rice truck. People are now demanding strict action against the rice mill, accusing it of orchestrating smuggling operations.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to curb such illegal activities, with police and the Supply Department collaborating to trace the smuggling network. The case underscores the need for stricter monitoring of interstate grain transport to protect Odisha’s agricultural economy.

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