Intensifying its crackdown against illegal quarrying, the Crime Branch’s Special Task force (STF) carried out raids on the Sauasari hills under Khaira tehsil in the district on Sunday.
During the raid, the STF seized two tractors and arrested five persons. The arrestees we identified as leasees Dinabandhu Rout, Babula Jena of village Kainthagadia and drivers Bhagirathi Soren, Muna Jena and Jayant Jena.
The accused were involved in blasting and quarrying of mines despite a ban under Section 144 of the CrPC in the patches. They were illegally quarrying them and smuggling the minerals to different places in the State.
It is alleged that the accused carried out their clandestine trade in connivance with the Revenue Department and district administration officials. However, the STF team remained tight-lipped about the raid and only said that the accused would be forwarded to court.