Rural Police Seize Panna Worth Rs 1.5 Crore Near Bus Stand

Key Points:

• Three inter-district smugglers held near Baharagora bus stand
• 1.095 kg emerald worth around Rs 1.5 crore seized from scooter
• Rural SP says probe underway to trace wider smuggling network

JAMSHEDPUR – East Singhbhum police have arrested three inter-district smugglers near Baharagora bus stand in a crackdown on mineral smuggling.

Officers recovered approximately 1.095 kilograms of emerald, locally known as panna, during the raid. The seized stones are estimated to be worth nearly Rs 1.5 crore in the international market.

Rural SP Shubham Khandelwal shared details of the operation at a press conference on Sunday. He said the action could expose a larger smuggling network operating in the region.

According to the SP, the senior superintendent of police had received a tip-off about the planned transaction. Sources indicated that smugglers were expected to trade a large quantity of panna near the bus stand.

Taking the input seriously, a special raiding team was formed under the leadership of the Ghatshila SDPO. The team cordoned off the area around the bus stand and began monitoring suspicious individuals.

During the operation, three young men arrived on two separate two-wheelers. However, all three attempted to flee upon spotting the police team.

Officers moved swiftly and chased down the trio a short distance away. A search of a Yamaha scooter’s storage compartment led to the recovery of 1.095 kilograms of panna, packed in plastic.

The arrested men have been identified as Vinay Patar, 50, and Siddheshwar Kalindi, 45, both residents of Murakati under Gudabandha police station. The third accused is Snehashish Mangaraj, 44, a resident of Khandeoli under Shyamsundarpur police station.

Police also seized three Android mobile phones from the accused. In addition, two motorcycles bearing Jharkhand and Odisha registration numbers, along with Rs 2,300 in cash, were recovered.

A case has been registered against all three accused under relevant sections, and judicial proceedings have begun. Meanwhile, investigators are probing the source of the seized panna and its intended buyer.

Police are also examining whether other individuals linked to the smuggling racket remain at large. “We believe questioning the accused could lead to several important disclosures,” an officer associated with the case said.

Authorities said the investigation has been intensified in an effort to trace the entire network behind the racket. Illegal mineral smuggling cases have periodically surfaced in the Ghatshila and Baharagora belt in the past.