Odisha DCM, Minister Hold Peace Talks in Riot-Hit Malkangiri as Tribal–Settler Tensions Simmer

Malkangiri (Odisha): With Odisha’s Malkangiri district on edge following violent clashes between tribal communities and Bengali settlers, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and fisheries and animal resources minister Gokula nanda Mallik visited the district on Thursday to initiate peace talks and review the law and order situation.

The unrest was triggered after the decapitated body of Lake Podiami, a tribal woman from Rakhelguda, was found in the Poteru river on December 4. The murder sparked outrage among local tribal groups, who claimed it was linked to long-running land disputes with settlers of MV-26 village, home to predominantly Bengali families. The incident sparked retaliatory violence in which more than 150 homes on MV-26 were destroyed or set on fire, forcing hundreds of people to flee.

Arriving in Malkangiri, the Deputy Chief Minister held a detailed meeting with district officials, including ADG (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda, Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay and Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinodh Patil H, at the district headquarters. The ministers then met representatives of the Adivasi Mahasangh, who presented an eight-point statement of demands. The key demands included compensation of Rs 30 lakh to the family of the dead woman, restoration of her land and recapture of all government land allegedly encroached upon by settlers. Tribal leaders also called on the government not to arrest any tribal members in connection with the violence.

On the other hand, leaders of the Bengal Samaj, led by its president Gauranga Karmakar, demanded protection of their community and called for precautions to prevent future attacks. They also demanded compensation for the displaced families of MV-26 and support for the collection and sale of paddy crops left unclaimed due to conflict.

Speaking to reporters after the meetings, Singh Deo said that both communities expressed their desire to restore peace.

“The government has instructed the district administration to strengthen security arrangements and strictly monitor the situation,” he said. Internet services have been disrupted in parts of the region, and police and paramilitary personnel remain heavily deployed to prevent further escalation.

Although calm has been restored for now, tensions are still felt as investigations into the woman’s murder and the subsequent mob violence continue.