Balasore, March 7: With a violent crackdown on illegal sand transport from Odisha to West Bengal, Odisha Police has seized at least 22 vehicles and arrested as many as 19 peddlers so far.
Acting on the instruction of DIG Eastern Range, Dr. Satyajit Naik, a special drive against illegal lifting and porting of minor minerals, including sand and lateral soil was initiated in Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj district.
During enforcement, 07 cases were lodged in Mayurbhanj district in which 05 tractors, a Mini truck and a dumper were seized during illegal transportation of sand. Five peddlers were arrested in this connection.
Similarly, in Balasore district six cases were lodged following enforcement. During raids, 13 tractors and two trucks were seized while transporting sand illegally. As many as 14 accused were held in this connection.
The police are keeping a close watch on the sand and minor mineral mafias. The enforcement is going on and it will continue till the illegal business completely ends. Feed backs from the local residents are being taken to make this drive success, said a senior police officer.
