Up to 56 Hyva trucks were confiscated during coordinated operations by the Mining Department and police in the Anandapur sub-division of the Keonjhar district late on Monday night as part of a significant crackdown on the unlawful transportation of sand.
Following several complaints regarding widespread sand smuggling along the Baitarani River, the action was taken at two different places.
According to sources, large-scale illegal sand lifting was allegedly taking place in the Tampa ghat area of the Ramachandrapur police boundaries, where more than 35 Hyva trucks and one excavator were confiscated.
Twenty-one more Hyva trucks were stopped and confiscated in the vicinity of Rampa Chhak, which is under the jurisdiction of the Nandipada police, where vehicles loaded with sand were being transported without authorisation.

Organised Night Raids Following Several Complaints
According to sources, the Mining Department and police together initiated the operations in response to several complaints of illicit sand extraction occurring in coordination with local intermediaries and carriers. Enforcement personnel carried out surprise raids in the designated ghats in response to intelligence inputs.
According to reports, truck drivers tried to escape during the operation at the Tampa ghat on the Baitarani River, unloading sand halfway to avoid being seized. The loaded cars were, however, apprehended by the authorities, who then escorted them to the Saikula Police Station, where they are presently being held for further investigation and legal action.
According to preliminary estimates, the state exchequer suffered a large loss as a result of the illicit activity operating with the cooperation of local entrepreneurs.

According to officials, more research is being done to find the contractors, transporters, and other people who are allegedly involved in the unlawful mining and transportation of river sand.
In order to stop illicit sand trucks from moving forward after the seizures, more police have been stationed along the Baitarani riverbed and along surrounding highways. Along important linking highways, checkpoints have been set up, and nighttime patrols have increased.