The Jagatsinghpur district administration has issued a notice to a suspected sand mafia after seizing 200 trips of illegally stored sand from Adhanga Majurai village in Odisha. Officials said the individual concerned has been directed to appear before the Collector’s office on February 10 in connection with the case.
According to the notice, if valid documentary proof related to the seized sand is not produced, the administration will proceed with the auction of the entire stock. The Sub-Collector stated that the action forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal sand extraction, storage, and transportation in the district.
The seizure was carried out during a late-night raid on February 5, following specific intelligence inputs about illegal sand stockpiling. A team led by Sub-Collector Prasanta Kumar Tarai conducted the operation and found illegally stored sand at two separate locations in Adhanga Majurai village. The stock was seized as per due procedure, and legal action was initiated.
Officials said the raid followed multiple complaints alleging illegal sand transportation from various sand ghats in Jagatsinghpur district. It was further alleged that sand mafias were storing sand at different locations and selling it at inflated prices, causing environmental damage and revenue loss to the state.
The district administration has warned that surveillance and enforcement drives against illegal sand mining and storage will continue, and strict action will be taken against those violating the law.
