India, Dec. 21 -- In a major crackdown on illegal sand mining, the Odisha Government has ordered the suspension of Deputy Director of Mines (DDM), Jajpur Circle, Jay Prakash Nayak, and Jagatsinghpur District Mining Officer (DMO), Satish Kumar Tarai, for their alleged involvement in large-scale sand theft.

The suspension orders were issued by Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, who underscored the government's zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining activities.

The minister stated that the government's action against sand theft will continue and warned that strict action will be taken against other officials found involved in or facilitating illegal sand mining.

Show-cause notices issued earlier Earlier, on November 27, ...