Malkangiri Violence Eases After Peace Talks as Tribals, Bengali Community Agree to Truce

December 10, 2025 MTIMES 5 min read district administration action, Lake Podami murder, Malkangiri peace talks, Malkangiri violence, MV-26 clashes, Odisha curfew news, Odisha tribal unrest

Malkangiri Violence: After two tense days marked by arson, destruction, and mass displacement, the violence-hit MV-26 area of Odisha’s Malkangiri district showed clear signs of calm on Tuesday following successful peace negotiations between the tribal residents and the Bengali settler community. The breakthrough came after sustained efforts by the district administration, which persuaded both sides to resolve the conflict through dialogue rather than confrontation.

A high-level peace committee meeting was held with the participation of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, DIG, SP, Malkangiri MLA Narasingha Madkami, and representatives from both communities. District Collector Somesh Upadhyay confirmed that the talks concluded positively, with both sides agreeing to restore harmony and avoid any further escalation.

Meanwhile, under the continuing curfew and internet shutdown, the MV-26 region remained peaceful throughout the day. Heavy deployment of police and security forces ensured that no fresh incidents were reported. However, as a precaution, the curfew will remain in effect and internet services will continue to be suspended until Wednesday noon.

Malkangiri Violence: Peace Returns After Administrative Intervention

The unrest had erupted on Sunday when thousands of tribal villagers from surrounding areas stormed into MV-26 and allegedly torched houses while vandalising properties belonging to Bengali settlers. The violence was triggered by the brutal killing of Lake Podami of Rakhelguda village. Her headless body was recovered from the Potteru river, sparking outrage among the tribal population.

Podami was reportedly involved in a land dispute with a member of the Bengali community, which intensified suspicions and anger. Although police acted swiftly and arrested Subharanjan Mondal in connection with her murder, the mob fury could not be contained immediately. The attack forced a large number of MV-26 residents to flee their homes for safety.

Extent of Damage and Security Measures on Ground

Preliminary assessments by the district administration reveal that out of 188 houses in MV-26 village, as many as 163 have suffered damage. Official teams are now conducting a detailed survey to finalize the extent of loss, after which compensation and relief will be provided as per the guidelines of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).

Police and paramilitary forces have continued to guard the area to prevent any revival of violence. Director General of Police YB Khurania, who visited the affected area on Monday night, personally reviewed the security deployment and the steps taken to restore normalcy.

Malkangiri Violence: Funeral Held With Customary Rituals

The tribal community had initially refused to accept Podami’s body after it was recovered on Thursday, as her severed head is still missing. However, following persistent persuasion by the district administration, the family agreed to the postmortem on Tuesday. In keeping with tribal customs, a clay replica of the missing head was prepared, and the final rites were conducted by burying the body near Rakhelguda village.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh for Podami’s next of kin. In addition, the district administration released ₹30,000 towards funeral expenses as immediate assistance.

Fresh Demands Add New Layer of Tension

Even as peace returned to MV-26, tribal leaders submitted a memorandum to the district collector laying out a seven-point charter of demands. Tribal leader Bandhu Muduli called for the dissolution of MV-26 village and the removal of all “unauthorised” Bengali settlers from the district.

The memorandum also demanded ₹30 lakh compensation for Podami’s family, transfer of the disputed land to her kin, and capital punishment for the accused in the murder case. These demands indicate that while the immediate violence has subsided, underlying tensions over land and settlement remain unresolved.

For now, the administration continues to maintain tight security and engage both sides to prevent any fresh flare-up as the district slowly moves back towards stability.

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