Normalcy was restored in Odisha’s Malkangiri district, nearly a week after violent clashes damaged approximately 200 villages. On Monday, the district administration fully restored internet services and withdrew prohibitory orders that were in place to contain the unrest, a senior official said.
Additional District Magistrate Bedabar Pradhan stated the restoration of internet services, which were suspended across the district on December 8 to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation following the violent clashes. The suspension had been extended in phases till 12 noon on Monday.
The district administration withdrew prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which had been imposed within a 10-km radius of MV-26 village, the site of arson incidents on December 7 and 8.
Officials said that while the violence was confined to two villages, tension had spread to the entire district. The incident escalated into a major clash between local tribal communities and Bengali settlers following the recovery of a woman’s headless body on December 4, officials said.
The violence erupted when residents of Rakhelguda village allegedly set fire to several houses belonging to Bengali residents, prompting hundreds to flee. The headless body of Lake Podiami (51), a woman from the Koya tribe, was found on the banks of the Poteru river, with her head recovered six days later, 15 km away.
Following the unrest, the district administration held several rounds of discussions with representatives from both the tribal and Bengali communities, who have since agreed to maintain peace, officials said.
Relief and rehabilitation work is underway in MV-26 village, with a preliminary property damage assessment estimated at approximately Rs 3.8 crore.
A two-member ministerial team led by Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo visited the affected village, interacted with locals, and submitted a report to the Chief Minister.
So far, 18 people have been arrested in connection with the violence. Despite the restoration of services, security forces, including BSF and CRPF personnel, remain deployed to prevent any further incidents.
On Sunday, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi visited MV-26 and neighbouring Rakhelguda villages and held discussions with members of both communities as part of efforts to rebuild confidence and restore peace.
More than two lakh Bengali-speaking Bangladeshis were rehabilitated by the Centre in Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts in 1968, and they currently reside in 124 villages of Malkangiri.
