Kendujhar Police Raid Targets Sand Mafia Led by Jogendra Behera

Kendujhar: Police conducted a major operation named 'Baitarani' against sand businessmen and mafia in Kendujhar district under the direction of District SP Nitin Kushalkar. Multiple police teams raided 12 locations in Anandpur subdivision and Ghatgaon area late Sunday night. During the raids, 11 people were arrested, and nearly 50 vehicles including highway trucks, pickups, tractors, and luxury four-wheelers were seized. Police also confiscated around 80 bank accounts worth approximately 80 lakh rupees, 28 lakh rupees in cash, and a large quantity of gold and silver ornaments.

The operation uncovered fake documents related to sand transportation, including transit passes. Jogendra Behera, a former bus conductor turned politician and mafia leader from Alkania village in Nandipada police station area, was arrested after initially refusing to open his house doors. Jogendra and his family were found to own more than four luxury vehicles, cash, land documents, and gold. Investigations revealed that Jogendra and his two sons were actively involved in illegal sand mining and transportation, extorting money from local youths and running unauthorized sand ghats along the Baitarani river. The police action has been largely appreciated by the public.