Bhubaneswar, May 16 -- In a shocking incident of lawlessness, mining department officials were allegedly attacked by illegal morum (laterite soil) miners during a raid in Odisha's Balasore district's Kupari area.

According to reports, complaints had been received regarding the illegal transportation of morum in the region. Acting on the tip-off, Junior Mining Officer of Khaira, Abhishek Behera, along with two police personnel, proceeded to the site to conduct a raid, sources said on Saturday.

However, when the officials reached near Sundarpur Chhak, they were reportedly ambushed by members of the sand and morum mafia. The attackers allegedly pelted stones at the official vehicle, blocked its movement, and smashed its windshield during t...