Athani tahsildar R Umadevi - acting on a tip off - had raided Theertha village where sand mining was rampant.
But the accused Amruthagowda Siddanagowda Patil and Siddanagowda Kalagowda Patil had blocked Umadevi's vehicle and stopped her from discharging her duties. They argued with her and even tried to assault her, reports Kannada Prabha.
Taluk police who had accompanied Umadevi struggled to bring the situation under control. They resorted to lathi charge to quell the situation.
They have arrested Amruthagowda Patil while another accused Siddanagowda Patil is absconding. The police have also taken four persons into custody for allegedly helping the accused.