Balasore, Dec 6: Two junior mines officers were brutally beaten by villagers when they attempted to seize a truck transporting illegal stones in Dandharipur village within the jurisdiction of Soro police station in Balasore district. The officers, Jagannath Das and Sambit Kumar Mani, had received a tip-off about the illegal stone transportation and were carrying out the operation when the incident occurred.

According to reports, tensions escalated when villagers were alerted to the presence of the mines officials. A violent scuffle broke out as the villagers intervened, and the officers were physically attacked while attempting to seize the truck. Fearing for their safety, the officers had to abandon the vehicle and flee the scene, unable to complete their mission.

Jagannath Das later filed a formal complaint at the Soro police station, prompting the authorities to launch an investigation into the assault. Following the incident, the police managed to seize three additional trucks loaded with stones from the area, which were suspected to have been involved in illegal mining activities.

The attack is believed to be linked to the growing influence of the stone mining mafia in the region, who have been allegedly threatening mining officials and forcefully seizing trucks carrying stolen stones. The police are working to uncover the full extent of the illegal operations and bring those responsible to justice.