Odisha: Law and order breaks down in Malkangiri; internet suspended, heavy forces deployed
Bhubaneswar, Dec 8
Internet has been suspended in Malkangiri district as the law-and-order situation in the district, particularly in MV-26 village, deteriorated further on Monday following fresh unrest linked to the recovery of a headless body of a woman from the Poteru river near Dudumetla.
“This is to inform the general public that internet services will remain suspended across the entire district from 6 PM this evening for the next 24 hours,†informed the District Collector on the official X handle.
The district administration has also imposed prohibitory orders in the locality under Section 163 of the BNSS Act.
To restore normalcy, the Malkangiri Police conducted a flag march.
The Superintendent of Police, Malkangiri, Vinodh Patil H., has appealed to all residents to remain calm and refrain from any form of violence.
Notably, more than 5,000 tribal people equipped with traditional weapons reportedly assembled at nearby MV-25 village, with parts of the gathering turning violent.
Reports said agitating groups began ransacking, adding to the tension already prevailing between MV-26 and Rakhalguda villages.
The violence is connected to the murder of Lake Padiami, a resident of Rakhalguda village, whose headless body was recovered from the river about four days ago.
The victim had earlier been reported missing at the Korukonda police station. With the victim’s head yet to be recovered, anger among locals continues to mount.
The protesting tribals alleged that one Suka Ranjan Mandal of MV-26 village reportedly murdered the deceased Padiami over a dispute regarding landed property.
Earlier, miscreants also allegedly damaged properties and set fire to haystacks and houses in MV-26 village, significantly worsening the situation on Sunday.
The ongoing unrest has raised serious concerns over public safety in the area.
In response, the administration has deployed eight platoons of police along with two platoons of BSF to maintain law and order.
Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Vinodh Patil, accompanied by senior police officials, is present at the spot and is closely monitoring the situation.
Police have intensified patrolling and security arrangements in the sensitive villages, while investigations into the murder are continuing.
Authorities have appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to restore normalcy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Deploying BSF and heavy police forces shows how serious the situation is. While I understand the need for Section 144, I hope the administration is also engaging with tribal leaders for dialogue. Violence only breeds more violence.
Land disputes turning so violent is heartbreaking. This is not just a law and order issue, it's a failure of the local administration to mediate such conflicts earlier. My thoughts are with the victim's family. The SP's appeal for calm is necessary, but action speaks louder.
As someone from Odisha, this news is disturbing. Malkangiri has had challenges, but such brutal murder and communal tension is alarming. The internet suspension is standard procedure, but I hope it doesn't hinder the flow of accurate information. Stay safe, everyone there.
Respectfully, while heavy deployment is needed, there's a pattern. A horrific crime happens, police are slow to act, public anger boils over, *then* forces are sent. Wouldn't proactive community policing and faster investigation prevent this cycle? Just a thought.
ॠशांति। This poor woman, Lake Padiami. Her family must be devastated. The report says she was reported missing earlier. Were enough searches done then? Now 5000 people are agitated. The authorities must handle this with utmost sensitivity, not just force. Justice is the only way to calm things.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.