Jajpur: Police have arrested seven persons in connection with the murderous attack on Vyasanagar tehsildar Prashant Kumar Panda using a tractor during a raid against illegal mining activities in Odisha’s Jajpur district.

Those arrested include the tractor owner, driver and the land owner, along with others allegedly involved in the incident. Korei police have also seized five tractors and two JCB machines used in the illegal operation.

The incident took place near Minabazar Chhak under Korei police limits on Saturday when Panda, acting on reports of illegal soil extraction from a pond, reached the spot with his team. During the raid, individuals engaged in the activity allegedly rammed a tractor into the tehsildar in what is being treated as an attempt to kill him.

Panda sustained critical injuries in the attack. He was first taken to Korei Hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment. His condition was reported to be serious.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused were involved in unauthorised excavation of soil from a pond. The attack is believed to have been carried out to prevent officials from stopping the illegal mining activity.

Police said further investigation is underway to identify any additional persons linked to the case and to ascertain the full extent of the illegal operation.