Khordha: The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch today arrested the kingpin of an illegal mining quarry on government land in Tapang under Khordha Sadar police limits.
The investigating agency has also seized 10 kilograms of ammonia nitrate powder, some gelatin stick, wire and stabilizer of explosive chemicals from the quarry run illegally by the accused identified as Sanjay Paikray.
“The gang used to blast boulders in rocky hills and hillocks in the area without any authority or without paying any royalty to the government and thereby cause serious financial loss to the exchequer. For this purpose, they procure illegal arms and ammunition and provide those to their gang members to terrorize local people, government officials and rival gangs. The gang also used to procure explosives illegally for blast in quarries,” said an STF official.
The STF on Friday night has also apprehended one Dushasan Behera, a close associate of Paikray while planning a dacoity on NH 16. Police have also arrested three other gang members of Behera.
STF officials said that a case has also been registered against 20 others involved in the illegal activity in the area. “Paikray has been forwarded to the court and further investigation is continuing to nab others running similar rackets,” added the official.
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