Malkangiri violence: Ministerial delegation submits report to CM Mohan Majhi
Bhubaneswar, Dec 12
The delegation of ministers, led by Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo, on Friday submitted its report on the ground situation in violence-hit Malkangiri district, where the recovery of a tribal woman's headless body had enraged local tribal residents, who subsequently set fire to houses and damaged the properties of hundreds of Bengali-speaking residents of the MV-26 villages on December 7 and 8.
Speaking to media persons, Gokulananda Mallick, Minister for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, said: "We have prepared a report on the basis of whatever we came across during the discussions with both the Bengali-speaking and tribal communities and submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The Chief Minister will examine the report and take appropriate action in this regard. The most important point is that both communities want peace, and it is the government’s duty to ensure that peace is maintained.â€
Notably, the ministers had visited Malkangiri district on Thursday and held discussions with various stakeholders in the presence of senior officials of the district administration and the Odisha Police.
According to reports, the murder of a 51-year-old tribal widow, Lake Padiami from Rakhalguda village -- reportedly over a land-related dispute -- and the subsequent recovery of her headless body after four days, floating in a river, triggered widespread violence by tribals of Rakhalguda and adjoining villages on Sunday and Monday.
The protesting villagers set more than 50 houses on fire and ransacked over 160 houses belonging to residents of the MV-26 village. Hundreds of Bengali-speaking families -- who migrated from Bangladesh decades ago and have been residing in MV-26 -- fled their homes and took shelter in nearby villages to escape the violence.
In view of the tense situation, the state government clamped prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS Act and suspended internet services in the district. Several platoons of the Central Armed Police Forces and the Odisha Police have also been deployed to prevent further escalation.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Land disputes in tribal areas are a tinderbox. This has been a long-standing issue. While the tribal community's anger is understandable, targeting an entire Bengali-speaking settlement sets a dangerous precedent. The administration failed to act on the initial murder. Now they deploy police after everything burns. 🤦â€â™‚ï¸
The report submission is just a formality. We need to see what concrete steps CM Majhi takes. Compensation for the displaced families, fast-track courts for the murder case, and a permanent solution to land rights in the area. "Ensuring peace" cannot just mean more police deployment.
Very sad situation for everyone involved. The Bengali families who fled have lived there for decades; they are Indians too. And the tribal community has genuine grievances. Hope the government's action brings healing, not just temporary calm. Jai Hind.
This shows the failure of local governance. A dispute leads to murder, then a headless body is found after 4 days? Where was the police investigation? The violence is condemnable, but so is the administrative negligence that allowed tensions to boil over. Need accountability.
Reading this from abroad. It's a complex issue of indigenous rights and migrant integration. The immediate need is humanitarian aid for all affected. Long term, the land records and citizenship status need clear, fair resolution to prevent future conflicts.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.