Bhubaneswar, Dec. 22 -- The Odisha government has intensified its crackdown on illegal sand transportation by ordering the suspension of two mining officials over alleged lapses and irregularities linked to sand theft in the state.

Odisha Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena directed the Mining Department to suspend Jajpur District Deputy Director of Mines (DDM) Jay Prakash Nayak and Jagatsinghpur District Mining Officer Satish Kumar Tarai from service. The decision comes amid growing concerns over illegal sand mining and the role of officials entrusted with monitoring and enforcement.

The state government reiterated that action against sand theft will continue and warned that more officials could face similar disciplinary meas...