Odisha Govt Steps In as Malkangiri Simmering Tensions Push Region to the Brink

DCM Singh Deo, Minister Mallik Hold Back-to-Back Meetings With Tribal and Bengali Groups Amid Fears of Fresh Violence

By Suryanarayan Panda

Koraput (Odisha), Dec. 11: With Malkangiri gripped by unrest following violent clashes between tribal communities and Bengali settlers, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and fisheries & animal resources minister Gokulananda Mallik on Thursday visited the district to initiate peace talks and review the law-and-order situation.

The tension was sparked by the recovery of the beheaded body of Lake Podiami, a tribal woman from Rakhelguda, on December 4 from the Poteru river. Tribal groups alleged that the killing stemmed from long-standing land-related hostilities with residents of MV-26, a village largely inhabited by Bengali settlers. The outrage triggered retaliatory attacks in which over 150 houses in MV-26 were torched or vandalised, forcing hundreds to flee.

Upon arrival, the Deputy Chief Minister held a detailed review meeting with ADG (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda, Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay and SP Vinodh Patil H at the district headquarters. The ministers later engaged with representatives of the Adivasi Mahasangh, which submitted an eight-point charter of demands including Rs 30 lakh compensation for Podiami’s family, restoration of her land, and repossession of government land allegedly encroached upon by settlers. They also urged the government to refrain from arresting tribal community members in connection with the retaliatory violence.

Leaders of the Bengali Samaj, led by president Gauranga Karmakar, sought protection for their community, compensation for the displaced families of MV-26, and immediate support for harvesting their paddy crop left unattended due to the clashes.

Speaking after the meetings, Singh Deo said both sides had expressed willingness to restore normalcy.

“The government has instructed the district administration to strengthen security arrangements and maintain strict vigil,” he stated. Internet services remain suspended in parts of the district, while police and paramilitary forces continue to maintain heavy deployment.

Though the situation is calm at present, tensions remain high as investigations into the woman’s killing and the subsequent mob violence are underway.

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Photograph: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo (second from left) and minister Gokulananda Mallik (first from left) with top officials at a review meeting in Malkangiri district on Thursday.