Massive Crackdown on Illegal Stone and Sand Quarries in Nayagarh; 14 Held

Bhubaneswar, May 14: In the wake of the brutal murder of Ajit Sahoo in Odagaon over illegal stone quarry dealings, the Nayagarh district administration has launched a major crackdown on illicit stone and sand quarry operations across the district.

Authorities have detained 14 individuals involved in the illegal quarry business and seized several vehicles used for transporting stone and sand, informed Dr. Satyajit Naik, IGP, Central Range, Cuttack.

During the night of May 13–14, the district administration conducted targeted raids at sand quarries in Madhapur and Patharachakada under the jurisdiction of Fategarh Police Station. The operations were carried out jointly by Nayagarh Collector, Superintendent of Police S. Sushree, and the local police team.

Several vehicles engaged in illegal extraction and transportation were seized, including four Hywa trucks, two Mahindra tractors with trailers, three motorcycles, and five Kobelco Poclain machines.

The 14 individuals apprehended during the raids are currently in police custody, while further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest the main culprits behind these illegal activities, said Dr. Satyajit Naik,