Brutal Assault on Junior Mining Officer Sparks Outrage in Balasore

Incident Overview

In Balasore, a Junior Mining Officer suffered severe injuries after being attacked by the leader of a local sand mafia and his associates while he was inspecting a sand mining area on the Budhabalanga riverbed near Kathasangada on Tuesday, according to police reports.

The officer, Tapas Kumar Behera, was critically hurt, particularly to his head and hand, during the assault. Authorities quickly transported him to the Balasore district headquarters hospital, where he is currently receiving medical care.

A representative from the Remuna police station stated that the incident unfolded when Behera, accompanied by another official and his vehicle's driver, arrived to assess the sand mining operations.

As Behera began documenting the site and the vehicles involved in transporting sand, he was suddenly attacked by the sand mafia leader and his men.

Despite attempting to escape, Behera was pursued and brutally beaten, with one assailant striking him with a bottle after forcibly removing him from his vehicle.

Following the incident, the Remuna police initiated an investigation after a Mining Department official filed a complaint.

Authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify all individuals involved in the assault. In response to the incident, District Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas, Deputy Collector Prathamesh Arabind Raje Shirke, and Mining Officer Santoshi Prava Sethy visited the hospital to check on Behera's condition.

Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi also visited the hospital to inquire about Behera's health and assured that stringent measures would be taken against those responsible.

Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas emphasized that attacks on government officials performing their duties would not be tolerated and confirmed that he had communicated with police officials regarding the matter.

This incident has raised alarm across the state, especially following a similar attack on another government official just over a week ago.

On June 2, a Revenue department officer was reportedly assaulted in Mayurbhanj district while en route to conduct a raid on illegal mineral transportation.

Bhima Kanta Majhi, the Additional Tehsildar of Kaptipada, sustained injuries, and his vehicle was damaged during that incident. Police have apprehended eight suspects, with efforts ongoing to locate additional individuals involved.