Sarasakana (Mayurbhanj): In the border region of Jamsole under the jurisdiction of Jharpokharia Police Station in Sarasakana Block, Mayurbhanj district, illegal sand smuggling has reportedly been taking place under the claim that the perpetrators are “close associates” of a local MLA. The administration, meanwhile, has remained a silent spectator. Locals are now questioning why the administration is maintaining silence and under whose pressure. On the other hand, complainants allege that certain sand mafia and troublemakers are falsely using the MLA’s name and claiming to be his close associates for their personal gains, thereby bringing disrepute to him. According to reports, on the night of Saturday, the 11th of October, around 3 a.m., a shocking incident occurred over sand theft. The sand mafia were allegedly transporting illegally extracted sand through Jamsole — a tri-junction of three states — using heavy trucks (Hyvas) to neighboring states Jharkhand and West Bengal. When a few local youths stopped one of these trucks and questioned the drivers about legal documents for the sand consignment, around five to six men suddenly arrived at the scene, hurled abuses in filthy language, and launched a deadly assault on the youths. Following this, a case was registered at Jharpokharia Police Station (Case No. 260/25) based on the complaint, and investigation is currently underway, informed the Officer-in-Charge, Prabhu Kalyan Acharya. While the police continue searching for the accused, three individuals — journalist Abinash Praharaj, Utkal Mail correspondent Pahad Singh, and sand trader Gobinda Dandapat — have been arrested. Meanwhile, other accused persons including Himmat journalist Shantanu Koila, Bishwabani correspondent Bandhan Singh, Debashis Bindhani, and a few others are reported to be absconding. After the arrest, the three accused were taken for medical examination at Shirsa Hospital before being brought back to the police station and later produced before Baripada Court this afternoon. It has also been alleged that for quite some time, a group of individuals have been roaming around at night in a Bolero vehicle, extorting money (“Dada Bati”) and engaging in illegal sand trafficking. Despite claiming to be journalists, they have allegedly tarnished the image of the MLA and the state government. This issue has now become a major topic of discussion among the local intelligentsia and the general public.
Report from Baripada by – Gour Dasgiri