Odisha DGP Orders Crackdown on Sand Mafia, 96 Arrested

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania has ordered strict action against the sand mafia operating in the state. Acting on his directive, the state police launched a large-scale crackdown on illegal sand smuggling on Monday.

According to Odisha police headquarters, special teams across various districts raided multiple locations involved in sand smuggling. During the operation, authorities seized 91 vehicles, including tractors, trucks, and tippers, loaded with illegally mined sand. The police registered 87 cases and arrested 96 individuals in connection with the illegal activity.

The campaign against sand smuggling, which began early Sunday, continued late into the night. Officials have assured that the crackdown will persist in the coming days. Local residents have been urged to report any information related to illegal sand and gravel mining to the special police teams.

The Odisha police have reaffirmed their commitment to curbing the sand mafia and preventing further illegal extraction of natural resources across the state