• Source:JND
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Odisha Violence: The Malkangiri district in Odisha remained tense after violent clashes erupted between two villages following the recovery of a headless body of a tribal woman in the area. The Odisha government suspended internet and social media services for 24 hours in district.

What Authorities Said?

The Home Department of the state issued a notice, saying the situation escalated rapidly as "anti-social elements" used platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and X to spread provocative and inflammatory messages, creating a threat to public order.

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"It has come to the notice of the State Government that a law and order situation arisen in the Malkangiri district, the situation has escalated and become critical, with antisocial elements circulating false, provocative and inflammatory messages via social media platforms, thereby threatening to disrupt public order and peace," the notification read.

District Administration Takes Preventive Measures

The district administration took a number of preventive measures, including a ban on the internet. The local authorities requested an immediate communication shutdown to prevent further escalation. The government imposed a complete suspension of mobile internet, broadband, and all social media services from 6:00 pm on December 8 until 6:00 pm on December 9.

Over 50 Houses Torched

Tensions prevailed in MV-26 village in the Korukonda block of Malkangiri district, seeking revenge for the severed head incident. More than 50 houses in the village were set on fire and looted on Monday. Thousands of tribals united and set the entire village on fire despite the presence of heavy police, DVF, and BSF personnel.

ALSO READ: Odisha Govt Suspends Internet And Social Media For 24 Hours In Malkangiri After Violent Clashes

Tribal and non-tribal communities are at loggerheads in the district over the alleged murder of the woman. All police stations have been put on high alert, fearing an outbreak of violence.

Meanwhile, the situation escalated after the headless body of Lake Padiyami, a tribal woman from Rakhalguda village, who had been missing for three days, was found on the 4th. The Adivasi community alleged that she was brutally murdered over a land dispute.

Threats To Bengali-Speaking People

On Sunday, tribals attacked the Bengali-speaking village of MV-26 and burned down more than 50 houses despite the presence of police. Police thought the situation would calm down, but on Monday, the situation worsened. In the morning, around 10,000 Adivasis surrounded MV-26. The village was empty, and residents had fled their homes and were hiding in unknown locations.

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