Malkangiri: District Authorities in Malkangiri have extended the suspension of mobile and broadband internet services until noon on Wednesday (December 10) as a precautionary measure to prevent the further escalation of violence between tribal residents and Bengali settlers. The initial 24-hour internet shutdown, which began on Monday evening, was prolonged in response to the continued high tension in the region.
The unrest, which has involved arson, damage to property, and the displacement of families, was triggered by the recovery of the headless body of 51-year-old Lake Podiami, a tribal woman from Rakhelguda village, on December 4. The murder is suspected to be a result of a deep-seated land dispute between the woman and a Bengali settler.
Key developments in the situation:
The Home Department issued an order extending the complete prohibition on internet services, including social media platforms, across the district until 12:00 PM on December 10.
Prohibitory orders remain in effect in the affected villages, including Rakhelguda and MV-26, to restrict public gatherings.
A heavy deployment of security forces, including personnel from the Odisha Police and Border Security Force (BSF), remains stationed in the area. Senior officials, including the Director General of Police, have visited the site to review the security situation and hold peace meetings with community representatives.
Police have arrested at least one person in connection with the murder and detained two others related to the subsequent violence and arson in MV-26. The search for the victim’s missing head is continuing.
The situation has led to a heated discussion in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, with opposition parties criticizing the government’s failure to resolve the underlying land disputes that they say fueled the violence.
The District Administration continues to appeal to residents for peace and cooperation to restore complete normalcy.